New grants to improve the lives of communities in the Pacific will soon be on offer to emerging Māori and Pacific Island youth leaders.
The announcement is being made at a two day Young Pacific Leaders Conference in Honolulu this week.
Delegates will discuss issues about education, the environment, civic leadership and social development, and both alumni and current participants will be eligible to apply for small project grants that meet certain criteria.
A spokesperson for the United States Consulate in New Zealand, Natalie Wilkins, said hundreds applied to attend the conference, but only 26 young leaders were selected.
She said the grants would help pave the way for youth to make a difference.
"There's so much energy in the young generation of leaders that's coming up. They are so enthusiastic and passionate about issues they know are important about making their communities better.
"We hear a lot from them about making sure all the talent doesn't leave the island, about preserving their cultural heritage, about preserving the environment, creating work opportunities and so they are really passionate about a wide range of issues."
The conference is a partnership between the East-West Center's Pacific Islands Development Program and the US Department of State.