Apply for Creative Industries Festivals Grant Scheme

Deadline: 23-Sep-2026

The Creative Industries Festivals Grant Scheme supports non-profit cultural organisations in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom to organise festivals that increase public interest in design, architecture and digital culture. Eligible applicants can request between €35,000 and €85,000 for festival preparation, organisation and implementation, subject to the scheme’s eligibility and audience requirements. What Is the Creative Industries Festivals Grant Scheme? The Creative Industries Festivals Grant Scheme supports festivals that contribute to the public function and development of the Dutch creative industries. The funding is intended for festivals that actively engage the public, strengthen cultural exchange and increase visibility and interest in these creative fields. The programme also aims to help festivals contribute to the broader development of the creative industry by reaching new audiences and creating opportunities for public participation. What Does the Grant Support? Funding can be used for activities connected with the: Support public participation in creative activities Improve the visibility of Dutch creative sectors Encourage development within design, architecture and digital culture Help festivals expand their reach to new audiences The emphasis on public function means that festivals should demonstrate benefits beyond the participating creative professionals themselves. What Is a Strong Festival Proposal? A competitive proposal should clearly explain how the festival contributes to the creative industry and public engagement.

Important elements include:

Clear Creative Focus The festival should have a strong connection to design, architecture, digital culture, or relevant interdisciplinary creative practices. Public Function Explain why the festival is important to the public and how audiences will engage with its activities. Audience Development Applicants should describe how they will reach existing and new audiences and broaden public participation. Cultural and Creative Impact Show how the festival contributes to the development, visibility and exchange of knowledge within the creative sectors. Practical Delivery Plan The proposal should demonstrate that the organisation has a realistic plan for preparing and delivering the festival. How to Apply

Step 1: Check Organisational Eligibility

Confirm that your organisation is a qualifying non-profit cultural institution or organisation responsible for organising the festival.

Step 2: Confirm the Festival Location

Ensure the festival will take place in the Netherlands or the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Step 3: Check the Audience Requirement

If the festival takes place in the Netherlands, verify that it has reached or is expected to reach the required 1,000 physical visitors per edition. This requirement does not apply to festivals in the Caribbean region.

Step 4: Define the Festival’s Creative Contribution

Clearly explain how the festival supports one or more of the programme’s priority fields: Design Architecture Digital culture

Step 5: Develop an Audience Strategy

Explain how the festival will engage the public and broaden its reach. Include information about target audiences, public activities and strategies for attracting new visitors.

Step 6: Prepare the Funding Request

Develop a realistic budget covering eligible costs associated with preparing, organising and implementing the festival. The grant request must be between €35,000 and €85,000.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Submit the completed application according to the scheme’s application requirements, ensuring that all required organisational, festival, financial and audience information is included. Tips for Applicants

Demonstrate public value: Explain why the festival matters to audiences and the wider creative sector.

Show audience reach: Provide evidence of previous attendance where available.

Explain audience development: Show how the festival plans to reach people beyond its existing audience.

Highlight creative relevance: Clearly connect activities to design, architecture or digital culture.

Keep the budget realistic: Match the requested funding to the festival’s scale.

Demonstrate organisational capacity: Explain the experience and resources available to deliver the festival.

Emphasise cultural exchange: Show how the festival encourages interaction, knowledge-sharing and participation.

Plan for long-term impact: Explain how the festival can contribute to continued development and visibility of the creative industry.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying without confirming non-profit cultural eligibility. Proposing activities unrelated to design, architecture or digital culture. Failing to demonstrate a clear public function. Ignoring the 1,000 physical visitor requirement for festivals in the Netherlands. Providing no strategy for broadening public reach. Submitting a budget outside the €35,000–€85,000 funding range. Focusing solely on professional networking without demonstrating public benefit. Providing insufficient evidence of the organisation’s capacity to deliver the festival. Key Grant Details

Grant name: Creative Industries Festivals Grant Scheme

Main sectors: Design, architecture and digital culture

Grant amount: €35,000–€85,000

Total scheme ceiling: €1,350,000

Eligible locations: Netherlands and Caribbean part of the Kingdom

Dutch festival audience requirement: At least 1,000 physical visitors per edition

Caribbean audience requirement: The 1,000-visitor threshold does not apply

Eligible applicants: Non-profit cultural institutions and organisations

Purpose: Festival preparation, organisation and implementation

Core requirement: Festivals must have a clear public function and strategy to broaden public reach

Frequently Asked Questions How much funding can a festival receive? The scheme provides grants ranging from €35,000 to €85,000 per application, subject to the