North Down Community Festivals Fund

Overview

The minimum/maximum grant request that will be considered is £1,000 (net). The total grant amount can only make up 80% of the total festival cost. Matched funding must therefore be obtained and detailed, with supporting evidence. Please note that all expenditure must be incurred within the relevant financial year i.e. April 2014 to March 2015 for this application process.

The following general principles will apply to North Down Borough Council's administration of the fund:

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 funding, however will not be eligible to apply to other Council grant schemes to support the proposed festival. Please note that festival organisers cannot apply for different funds for the same element of project expenditure.
• 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. Festival providers 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.

Closing Date: 5pm 28th April 2014.