Council has finalised details of the new $300,000 Community Events Fund, by endorsing the Community Investment and Support Fund (CISF) - Community Events and Community Events Rapid Response Guidelines.
The Community Events Fund aims to support moderate-sized events, which bring economic benefits to the City, enrich the community, celebrate common interests and provide opportunities for local participation.
Up to $20,000 is on offer for events in 2020 and multi-year funding is an option, with application rounds opening in September 2019 and February 2020.
The fund will be advertised and community information sessions will be held to provide details about the timelines, and the application and assessment process.
Applications will be reviewed by an independent assessment panel, made up of community members who were appointed based on experience and suitability.
Funding of $100,000 per year for three years has been allocated by council from the Community Events Fund to Diversitat to support Pako Festa.
Council has also allocated $30,000 to support a Community Events Rapid Response process, ensuring events that require urgent support and cannot meet the CISF timelines have a chance to apply for funding.
These events can apply for a one-off payment of up to $10,000, which will come from the Community Events Fund.
Funding for Diversitat and the Community Events Rapid Response process leaves a total of $170,000 available in the Community Events Fund over two rounds.
The CISF - Community Events and Community Events Rapid Response Guidelines can be viewed within the 13 August 2019 council meeting agenda.
Councillor Bruce Harwood - Mayor
The funding on offer from the Community Events Fund will no doubt pave the way for new, exciting events to be held in Greater Geelong, further adding to our reputation of putting on quality events of all sizes.
Council's decision to set aside funds for a rapid response option allows for flexibility in the application process, as we want to make sure a fair chance is given when applying for funding.
Councillor Pat Murnane - Chair, Finance portfolio
Events supported by the Community Events Fund will bring economic and social benefits to the different population centres throughout our region, including opportunities for local participation. The fund meets four of the eleven priority areas of our Council Plan 2018-2022.
There are a number of distinct local communities around Greater Geelong and we want them all to have an event that they can be proud of. Pako Festa which has a long history in Geelong West and hopefully this fund can help start new events in other parts of the region, that can grow to similar iconic status.
