Grant Funding Programme

EVENTS

We support the promotion of events in Northern Ireland which would otherwise be unlikely to happen without government intervention.

Our work in events includes:

Supporting 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.

We do not engage in directly running events. This is the role of event promoters and organisers.

Future of Events function:

The Department for Culture, Arts & Leisure is working closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investmentand the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) to implement the Review of Public Administration recommendation to transfer functions formerly undertaken by the Northern Ireland Events Company to the NITB.

Ministers responsible for Culture, Arts & Leisure and for Enterprise, Trade & Investment agreed the proposalto transfer earlier this year and implementation will be taken forward when final NI Executive approval is secured.

GRANT FUNDING PROGRAMME

DCAL is inviting applications for funding for 2010-2011 under the following two funding streams:

Events Growth Fund; and
Major Events Fund

Events Growth Fund (EGF)

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 (MEF)

The Major Events Fund is for those applicants applying for support for large events which attract significant international media coverage or out of state visitors. The events likely to fall within this category are major national or international events.

All events must secure private sector sponsorship to be eligible for funding.

Funding for events taking place from 1^st April 2010 – 31^st March 2011 is available and advertisements appeared in regional press on 23^rd and 30^th October 2009.

Closing date and deadline for applications will be NOON on 27^th November 2009.

Late applications will not be considered.

Application forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from the links on the right. Previous applicants should note updated guidance and forms, only applications received in the correct format will proceed to assessment.

Application packs can also be obtained by writing to the address below, by emailing russell.whittaker@dcalni.gov.uk or by calling the Unit on number below:

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

Events Unit Grants Team

Redwood House

66 Newforge Lane

Belfast

BT9 5NW

Tel: 028 9068 4270

Please read all relevant guidance notes carefully to ensure you are eligible for funding before making an application.