Newtownabbey Community Festivals Fund

Overview

The Community Festivals Fund (CFF) was established in 2006 in recognition of the potential contribution that festivals could make to communities, to the local economy and wider Government policy priorities.

The Fund enables Community Organisations to celebrate their cultural identity and to strengthen community relations. A community festival is defined as a series of events with a common theme and delivered within a defined time period. It is developed from within a community and should celebrate and positively promote what the community represents. Community festivals are about participation, involvement, and the creation of a sense of identity and are important in contributing to the social well being of a community.

• This is a competitive scheme and applications will be determined on the basis of merit
• Applications to this scheme will be open to all festivals that can meet the core criteria of the scheme irrespective of whether the proposal is for an established or emerging event
• Festival organisers will continue to be able to apply to other sources of public funding support, however will not be eligible to apply to other Council grant schemes to support the proposed festival
• All festivals must demonstrate their commitment to promoting social cohesion, social inclusion, equality of opportunity, and good relations
• Festivals should contribute to the promotion of a positive image of Northern Ireland and organisers must take steps to avert anti-social behaviour
• Organisations in receipt of public funding must comply with all statutory obligations regarding the delivery of and access to their events
• Festival Organisers will make every effort to increase capacity within the community through e.g. skills training and volunteering

Festival Organisers will be expected to make efforts to maximise income through ticket sales and sponsorship. They should develop a plan to improve their sustainability and reduce reliance on public funding

It is a prime responsibility of Government to ensure the proper and efficient use of and the accountability of public monies. To this end, festival organisers will be required to provide relevant supporting information when applying for funding

Festival Organisers will be required to demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of their festival and that public funding is put to good use and shows a positive and measurable impact on the local community or economy; a method of formal evaluation is therefore required in all applications

Amounts Grant requests will be considered under two broad categories: Up to £2,500 and £2,501 - £5,000 (net). The total grant amount requested cannot exceed 75% of the total festival cost. Partnership funding for the remaining 25% must therefore be obtained and detailed, with supporting evidence.

How to Apply

Applications will be invited twice annually following public advertisement of the scheme through the local papers and the Councils Website. The application period will be approximately six weeks. Newtownabbey Borough Councils Community Services Section will administer the scheme, with all application summaries and Officers' recommendations being presented to the Council’s Development Committee for consideration.