Fermanagh and Omagh District Council - SPARK: Events Sponsorship 2025-2026

Overview

The objective of SPARK is to help smaller events develop and grow, particularly those that demonstrate the potential to expand and make a larger impact in future years. By encouraging collaboration between organisations, SPARK fosters innovation and aims to build a foundation for sustainable community-led events.

This Sponsorship stream is called SPARK and is specifically designed to support small scale, partner delivered events.

What is an Event? 

Defining what an event is can be important for clarity and context. Fermanagh & Omagh District Council describe an event as: 

“An organised special occasion and activity of limited duration that brings people together for the primary purpose of participating in an uplifting community, cultural, recreational, sporting, artistic, or entertaining experience”. 

An event may be: 

• Held every year, or twice a year but is not part of a more regular scheduled programme 
• Can be either free or paid entry 
• Run on a not for profit basis 
• Might be indoors or outdoors, or a combination of both 
• Might be single venue or multi-venue 

Eligibility

The Council will actively support events that are aligned with its Corporate vision, values and strategic priorities.

To be eligible for sponsorship, events must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a legally constituted, not-for-profit group operating within the Fermanagh and Omagh District area. 
• Events must involve two or more organisations working together to plan and deliver the event. 
• Each organisation should be distinct from the other with no cross over in office bearers or staff employed. 
• There must be a lead partner for the purposes of the application and award. 
• Events must engage the local community, foster participation, and promote community cohesion. 
• Events should aim to attract between 250- 999 attendees and demonstrate potential for future expansion and increased impact. 
• Proposals must highlight creativity and contribute to the long-term sustainability of community-led events. 
• Events must demonstrate deficit funding 
• Events must occur within the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area
• All participating organisations must be non-profit, and the event must not pursue commercial aims. 
• Events must adhere to relevant legislative requirements on on health, safety, equality, and safeguarding. 
• Events are open and inclusive to all to attend.

Funding Allocation

Funding Size: Sponsorship up to £1,000 per event.

The list below highlights Sponsorship eligible - this list is not exhaustive:  

Eligible Costs  

• Event Marketing and PR Costs 
• Event Health and Safety Costs 
• Event Production/Programming Costs
• Event Venue and Hire Costs 
• Event Accommodation Costs 
• Event Travel Costs 
• Event Prize Awards and Trophies 
• Event Security Costs 
• Event Evaluation 
• Event Performance fees