Applications for Cardinia Shire Council's Festival and Event Grants program have now reopened.
Following the initial grant application round held from April to May 2025, council received 39 applications for various community events. This year, applications were evaluated based on the updated program guidelines, which aim to enhance the governance of grant spending. The new assessment criteria included tiered funding categories, minimum matching contributions, and strengthened eligibility and assessment standards.
At the council meeting on 21 July, funding was approved for 13 grant applications that met the minimum assessment requirements, totalling $61,838 for this application round. The remaining applications were deemed ineligible due to incomplete submissions, insufficient financial evidence, and/or non-compliance with tier-specific thresholds.
Council has now reopened the 2025/26 Festival and Events Grants as a rolling program to support continuous access to funding and improve responsiveness to community needs. The Festival and Events Grant program will remain open on a rolling basis until 30 June 2026, or until all funds are exhausted. A total of $193,162 in grant funding will be allocated to this reopened round and assessed continuously until the funds are allocated.
Cardinia Shire Mayor, Councillor Jack Kowarzik, acknowledged the difficulties from the first grant round and encourages all community groups and organisations looking to host a festival or event to reapply for grant funding.
"We understand that many previous applicants were disappointed when their applications were not approved in the initial grant round and acknowledge the teething problems as a result of the updated assessment criteria for these grants," said Mayor Kowarzik.
"Council is committed to working with both past and new grant applicants to ensure their submissions meet the eligibility criteria and are set up for success. We encourage you to reach out to our grant officers who can assist you in strengthening your applications. We look forward to seeing these valuable community events come to life."
Community members and groups are invited to apply for funding to support the delivery of vibrant events across the shire. The Festival and Event Grants aim to create engaging experiences that will attract new audiences to the shire and strengthen community ties. These grants serve as a valuable resource for individuals and community organisations aiming to bring new or existing events to life, fostering connection and celebration within our diverse community.
The grant program is split into three tiers of funding, with grant amounts determined by the scope and capacity of the event.
- Tier 1: Commercial festivals and events attracting significant impact and visitation
- Tier 2: Community-run events attracting moderate impact and visitation
- Tier 3: Significant days of celebration attracting moderate impact and Civic pride
