Events Unit

AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS

Overall aim

The events function supports the promotion of major events in Northern Ireland which have the potential to:

• Impact positively on the image of Northern Ireland and in particular the external image, and / or
• Create opportunity for social cohesion, and / or
• Bring direct and indirect benefits to Northern Ireland.

Objectives and key targets

To contribute to the improvement of the social and economic status of Northern Ireland, for the benefit of the people, by supporting events, consistent with its aim, which would [otherwise] be unlikely to happen in Northern Ireland without the intervention of the government.

Key Principles

The DCAL Events Unit will not engage in directly running events. This will be the role of appropriately experienced and qualified event promoters and organisers. The Departmental focus is to facilitate the promotion of events in Northern Ireland.

It will be important to focus on high quality, high impact events that attract ‘out of state’ visitors as such events will have the greatest economic impact.

PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES

Grant Programmes

The events function within DCAL operates two grant funding programmes to deliver on the aims, objectives and key targets:

• Events Growth Fund; and
• Major Events Fund

Events Growth Fund

The Events Growth Fund is for small events which have the potential to 'grow' into large scale events. Projects funded under this stream should have the potential to:

• Grow or develop into a major / international event;
• Provide a stepping stone to attracting a major event;
• Become Sustainable over a 3-year period.

Major Events Fund

The Major Events Fund is for those applicants applying for support for large events attracting significant out of state media. The events likely to fall within this category are major National or International world events, such as World Championships.

Sectors in which Northern Ireland has performed well in events, or has the potential to perform well, include as follows:

• Sporting Events;
• High profile Music events;
• Unique Cultural events.

Evaluation, Appraisal and Authorisation

Criteria based evaluation

Each of the Grant Programme routes, eg Events Growth Fund and Major Events Fund has established criteria.The DCAL Events Unit will evaluate applications against these criteria, proportionate to the level of grant being sought, and in line with Government Green Book standards for such evaluations. This work will be conducted by DCAL grants officers on advice from a qualified Economist.

Applications will be scored against the criteria and will be expected to pass a minimum evaluation mark to be considered for funding. Those that do not pass the minimum mark will be refused funding. Applications above the pass mark will be ranked in order of this mark, with the highest mark first. Funding will be allocated in the priority order according to their rank until the fund has been exhausted.

Transition to DETI / NITB

In respect of the future Institutional arrangements for delivering the events function the Executive noted at the 22 November meeting that “… the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment remains committed in principle to the transfer of the events function (but not the Events Company) to DETI / NITB, subject to due diligence enquiries satisfying him that the function will transfer on a viable basis”.

A Programme Board of senior officials within DCAL, DETI and NITB has been established to oversee the transfer of the events function from DCAL to DETI at an appropriate time subject to both Ministers being satisfied with the arrangements. This Programme Board is responsible for the development of a work programme related to the transfer.