Call for Applications: Festival Support Grant – 2027 (Ireland)

Deadline: 13-Oct-2026

Waterford City and County Council is inviting eligible community and voluntary groups to apply for funding to organize festivals and events that strengthen Waterford’s cultural, social, and economic life. Applicants must be registered with the Public Participation Network, demonstrate inclusive and sustainable event planning, and meet governance, safeguarding, insurance, financial, and reporting requirements.

About the Festival Support Grant

The Festival Support Grant helps local community and voluntary groups deliver festivals and public events across Waterford. The program contributes to Waterford’s vision of becoming a vibrant and sustainable capital for the South East of Ireland. Supported events should create public benefits through: - Cultural activity. - Community participation. - Social connection. - Local economic activity. - Inclusive public experiences. - Sustainable event practices. - Opportunities for artists and performers. - Promotion of Waterford as a destination. Purpose of the Grant

The Festival Support Grant aims to:

- Strengthen Waterford’s festival calendar. - Support community-led events. - Increase cultural participation. - Encourage social inclusion. - Create welcoming public experiences. - Support local artists and cultural practitioners. - Improve the sustainability of festivals. - Attract visitors. - Generate local economic activity. - Build community capacity. - Encourage long-term festival development. Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must be:

- Community groups; or - Voluntary groups.

They must also:

- Be registered with the Public Participation Network. - Have a properly constituted committee. - Have designated committee officers. - Provide a clear festival program. - Prepare a promotion plan. - Demonstrate inclusive practices. - Complete or comply with required online tutorials. - Demonstrate sound financial planning. - Meet all insurance and safeguarding requirements. - Accept the conditions contained in the Grant Offer Letter. Applicants should consult the official guidelines for any geographic, legal, or operating-history requirements. Public Participation Network Registration Applicants must be registered with the Public Participation Network, commonly known as the PPN. PPN registration helps demonstrate that the applicant is a recognized community or voluntary group participating in Waterford’s local civic structure.

Groups should confirm that:

- Their registration is active. - Organizational details are current. - Contact information is accurate. - The proposed festival aligns with their stated purpose. - Any required PPN documentation is available. Groups not yet registered should review whether registration can be completed before the application deadline. Committee and Governance Requirements Applicant groups must have a properly constituted committee with designated officers.

Relevant roles may include:

- Chairperson. - Secretary. - Treasurer. - Other committee members. - Event coordinator. - Safeguarding representative.

The committee should demonstrate:

- Clear decision-making procedures. - Financial oversight. - Responsibility for grant compliance. - Appropriate record keeping. - Transparent management. - Capacity to deliver the proposed event. - Accountability for public safety. Applicants may need to submit their constitution and committee details. Eligible Festivals and Events The grant supports festivals and events that contribute to a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable Waterford.

Potential activities may include:

- Arts festivals. - Cultural festivals. - Music events. - Community celebrations. - Literary festivals. - Food and heritage events. - Family-focused festivals. - Multicultural events. - Seasonal celebrations. - Public performances. - Community heritage activities. - Other eligible public events. All activities should provide a clear community or public benefit. Festival Programme Applications are assessed partly on the quality and clarity of the proposed festival programme.

Applicants should describe:

- Event dates. - Locations. - Activities. - Performers or contributors. - Target audiences. - Accessibility arrangements. - Community participation. - Expected attendance. - Cultural or social value. - Contingency plans. The programme should be realistic, coherent, and achievable within the available resources. Promotion Plan Applicants must provide a clear plan for promoting the festival.

A strong promotion plan should identify:

- Target audiences. - Core event messages. - Promotional channels. - Media engagement. - Social media activity. - Community outreach. - Printed materials. - Partner communications. - Website or ticketing information. - Accessibility of promotional content. - Promotional timeline. - Responsibility for each task. The plan should explain how the event will reach both established and new audiences. Inclusive Practices Festivals should be welcoming and accessible to diverse members of the community.

Applicants should consider:

- Physical accessibility. - Affordable or free participation. - Accessible information. - Disability inclusion. - Age-friendly activities. - Child and family participation. - Gender equality. - Cultural and linguistic diversity. - Participation by underserved communities. - Safe and respectful event spaces. - Accessible scheduling and transportation. Applicants should demonstrate practical measures rather than relying only on broad statements about inclusion. Online Tutorials for Festival Organisers Applicants must comply with the required online learning or tutorial requirements for festival organizers.

These tutorials may address:

- Event planning. - Public safety. - Sustainability. - Accessibility. - Financial management. - Risk assessment. - Safeguarding. - Promotion. - Regulatory compliance. - Post-event reporting. Applicants should complete all required modules within the specified period and retain evidence where necessary. Assessment Criteria Applications are asses