Ards and North Down: Growth Events Fund

Overview

Aim of the Growth Events Fund (GEF)

The aim is to support large events, which can best meet the strategic requirements of Council to increase the number of events ‘distinctive to place’ within the Borough, by providing a grant for one year and committing to a maximum of ONE further year to encourage events to continue to grow.

Objectives of a Growth Event

• Grow the local economy
  • Increase overnight stays and visitor spend within the Borough
  • Increase local attendee spend
  • Increase investment in local businesses
• Grow the visitor experience and destination
  • Deliver stand out sustainable destination event/s
  • Increase awareness of AND by marketing nationally and internationally
• Grow the potential of the local community and place
  • Support and invest in local people
  • Support and invest in local businesses, venues and assets

Funding available

The level of grant available within the Growth Events Fund will be a minimum of £15,000 per year for a maximum of 2 years, subject to available budget

What they can fund

Their funding can be used towards the cost of delivering your event covering such items as event costs, venue hire, performer costs, marketing, prizes, etc. See Annex A of Guidance Notes for further details.

Who can apply

You must meet the following eligibility criteria to be eligible to apply.

Common eligibility criteria

Your organisation must:

• be a legally constituted group and supply evidence of this (a constitution or memorandum and articles of association);
• be a not-for-profit organisation and be unable to share out profits to members or shareholders;
• have a board or management committee and supply a list of members;
• hold a bank account in the organisation’s name and provide evidence of this;
• be in good financial health, have effective financial controls and submit evidence of this such as financial accounts and bank statements; complete the application form in full;
• contribute to the promotion of a positive image of the Borough and must take steps to avert anti-social behaviour;
• ensure the proper and efficient use of and the accountability of public monies.
• deliver Year 1 of the event in the Borough of Ards and North Down, between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026;
• year 2 must be complete by 31 March 2027.

Growth Events Fund specific eligibility criteria

In addition to the common eligibility criteria above, to apply to the Growth Events Fund you must be able to demonstrate how the event meets the criteria as set out below:

• Provide evidence of the event growth to date and a robust plan for growth to Year 2, over a number of areas i.e. increase in ability to bring additional revenue into local economy, social sustainability (use of volunteers with availability of training and an increase in local business partnerships), increase in attendees (includes participants), increase in duration of event and/or venues used.
• provide evidence of the event previously bringing at least 20% of attendees (and/or participants) from Out of Borough (OoB), including at least 5% from out of Northern Ireland and an evidence-based plan to continue to grow this percentage OR a structured business plan detailing how the event will attract at least this percentage in Year 1 i.e. first year event will receive funding from the Growth Events Fund.
• provide a detailed marketing plan which includes OoB promotion, and a plan to increase this going forward in Year 2
• Must take place within the Borough and showcase its assets
• Must take place over a maximum of an 8-week period and have a distinctive theme. A theme is defined as topic or subject that run through your entire event such as maritime, art, or music etc.
• Minimum eligible expenditure threshold £50,000
• Must demonstrate need for Council’s financial support by showing match funding of a minimum of 50% (this can be made up from own funds or other sources of funds/sponsorship/grants).

Applicants should also refer to the Event Management Toolkit for more information and guidance to assist in organising your event. This includes the Event Management Guide, the Event Management Plan Template, the Risk Assessment Template and the Council Land Request Form.