Open Call: Access Improvement Events Support Scheme (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 31-Dec-2026

The Monmouthshire Access Improvement Events Support Scheme provides grants to improve accessibility at visitor-related events and experiences across Monmouthshire. Funded through the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund and administered by Monmouthshire County Council, the scheme supports improvements that make events and visitor experiences more accessible to people with physical, sensory, learning, and neurological access needs.

About the Access Improvement Events Support Scheme

The scheme aims to promote greater inclusion and community benefit by helping event organizers and experience operators improve access for visitors with different accessibility requirements. Funding can support visitor-related experiences and events that demonstrate clear improvements in accessibility for people with specific access needs. Purpose of the Scheme The Access Improvement Events Support Scheme aims to: - Improve accessibility at visitor-related events. - Support people with physical access needs. - Address sensory access needs. - Improve accessibility for people with learning needs. - Consider neurological access requirements. - Promote inclusive visitor experiences. - Generate wider community benefits. - Strengthen Monmouthshire’s visitor offer. Who Can Apply? The scheme is open to organisers of visitor-related events and operators delivering experiences aimed at visitors in Monmouthshire.

Eligible applicants can include:

- Event organisers. - Experience operators. - Private-sector businesses. Private-sector businesses are subject to the applicable threshold under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. What Projects Are Eligible? Funding is available for visitor-related experiences or events taking place in Monmouthshire, provided the proposed project demonstrates clear improvements in access for people with specific access needs. Projects should show how the proposed improvements or activities will make the event or experience more accessible and benefit the wider community. Accessibility Focus The scheme recognizes that accessibility requirements can vary significantly between visitors. Projects can therefore consider improvements that benefit people with: - Physical access needs. - Sensory access needs. - Learning-related access needs. - Neurological access needs. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their proposed improvements respond to specific accessibility requirements. Community Benefit Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed improvements or activities will provide benefits to the wider community. The scheme is intended to support improvements that go beyond an individual or narrow benefit and contribute to more inclusive visitor experiences within Monmouthshire. Property and Permission Requirements Applicants must demonstrate that the relevant event or activity space is either: - Owned by the applicant, or - Available with the required permission secured. Applicants should ensure that the necessary permissions are in place before funded activities are delivered. Safety and Legal Requirements All funded activities must be delivered safely and legally. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their proposed activities comply with relevant legal and safety requirements. How Applications Are Assessed Applications are assessed against several factors to determine the potential value and impact of the proposed project.

Assessment considerations include:

- Number of beneficiaries. - Applicant’s track record. - Importance of the event or experience to the destination offer. - Value for money. - Potential for a lasting legacy. - Ability to monitor the impact of the project. Applicants should therefore clearly explain the expected beneficiaries, outcomes, costs, and longer-term value of their proposed accessibility improvements. Funding Information The scheme provides grants of up to £5,000 per project.

Key funding details include:

- Maximum grant: £5,000 per project.

- Funding source: UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.

- Administrator: Monmouthshire County Council.

- Application process: Rolling basis.

- Payment: Typically made in arrears.

- Funding availability: Until all allocated funding has been committed.

Grant Payment Grants are typically paid in arrears. Successful applicants are required to provide an expenditure breakdown and relevant invoices before payment is made. Applicants should therefore ensure that they maintain appropriate financial records and supporting documentation throughout the project. Project Completion and Reporting Funded applicants must report on the agreed outputs after completing their project. The reporting requirement allows the council to assess whether the project delivered the expected accessibility improvements and outcomes. Application Process Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all available funding has been allocated. The council aims to process applications within approximately one month, although processing times may vary depending on the number of applications received. Successful applicants will be contacted within 28 days of submission. Event Deadline Under the scheme requirements provided, all funded events must take place in Monmouthshire before the end of February 2026, with the stated eligibility date being before 28 February 2026. Because this date has now passed, applicants should verify whether the scheme has been extended or replaced before relying on the stated funding opportunity. Why the Scheme Matters Accessible visitor experiences can help ensure that people with different physical, sensory, learning, and neurological needs can participate more fully in community and visitor activities. The scheme provides targeted financial support for event organisers and experience operators seeking to improve accessibility while also creating wider community benefits and strengthening Monmouthshire’s destination offer. Key Facts About the Access Improvement Events Support Scheme

- Scheme: Access Improvemen