Omagh District Council: Community Festivals Fund

Overview

Omagh District Council also wishes to support the development of a wide range of Festivals within the Omagh District Council area which project a positive image of the area to the wider community.

The total amount in the Community Festivals Fund for the 2013-2014 financial year is £26,600.

For the purposes of this fund, a Festival is defined as a series of events delivered as an integrated programme over a defined timeframe. The Festival should be initiated and led by a voluntary/community organisation and should be a positive celebration of some aspect of life within the local community.

Applications for grant aid through the Community Festivals Fund will be invited once a year through advertisements in the local press and via the Omagh District Council website. All applications will be considered on their merit against the criteria set out below.

Applications will be open to all Festivals which meet the criteria set out below irrespective of whether they are established or new Festivals.

Applications received after the advertised closing date will not be considered.

Criteria:

• All applicants must demonstrate their commitment to promoting good relations, equality of opportunity, access and social inclusion.
• Festivals should contribute to the promotion of a positive image for the area and have the potential to attract visitors to the area. In this respect a realistic marketing plan will be expected.
• Festivals must comply with all statutory requirements in respect of Health and Safety arrangements and access. Risk assessments must be carried out and plans put in place to manage identified risks.
• Festivals will be expected to demonstrate a considerable level of volunteer involvement and voluntary commitment.
• Festival organisations will be expected to maximise funding for their event through grant aid, sponsorship and revenue from sales of tickets.
• Festival organisers will be required to provide rigorous financial information in support of applications and to comply with the Council’s claims and validation processes as set out in its Funding Policy. Any organisation receiving an award under the fund may be required to make its books and bank accounts open to scrutiny by an approved Officer of Omagh District Council or the Local Government Auditor.
• Festival organisers will be expected to demonstrate the effectiveness of their Festival in terms of its social and/or economic impact on the local community and economy.
• Council will wish to see evidence of proper planning for the proposed Festival. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to manage and implement the Festival.
• Where a Festival is awarded a grant under this programme the entire programme must take place in the current financial year. There will be no carry over of funding into the next year and any expenditure incurred after the current financial year will not be eligible for funding.

Valid applications will be assessed against the criteria set out below.

· Has strong local theme/identity

· Quality of proposed programme

· Promotes good relations/social inclusion

· Promotes a positive image for the area

· Attracts visitors to the area

· Contributes to regeneration

· Potential for capacity building and skills development

· Evidence of other funding

· Promotes equality of opportunity and access

· Evidence of sound financial management

· Evidence of compliance with statutory requirements including Health and Safety

· Demonstrates value for money