Applications are being invited for Aberdeen City Council's Community Festive Fund 2022.
The Community Festive Fund, which was established to encourage organisations and groups to come together within their own communities during the Christmas and Hogmanay periods, is designed to celebrate community wellbeing and togetherness.
Small financial grants are available for community groups and organisations to help arrange celebrations within their local community or to grow and develop an existing event which may already be held in Aberdeen.
Subject to eligibility, up to £350 for festive events and up to £500 for Hogmanay events is on offer to groups and organisations who apply. Funds are allocated once all applications have been received for consideration. Due to the number of applications anticipated, it is likely that funds will be allocated on a proportional basis.
Aberdeen City Council culture spokesperson, Councillor Martin Greig said “The city's Christmas programme offers a range of events to help celebrate the season. We are especially keen to encourage and support local celebrations around the city as this year is going to be a tough time for so many.
“The Community Festive Fund will be made available to offer extra financial support to groups organising community-based celebrations. It is important to encourage local activities and gatherings. Hopefully the funding will make a difference by paying for entertainment, venue hire, decorations or other things for a thoroughly enjoyable festive get together.”
“Applications are welcome from all but we will be especially interested in hearing from new groups or communities who wish to benefit from the fund. We are pleased that we can offer support to these smaller events so that local groups share in the festive season in the heart of their community.”
Qualifying Criteria
- The Christmas event must be held between 21st November and 30th December 2022 within the City of Aberdeen;
- Hogmanay events must be held between 31st December 2022 and 2nd January 2023 within the City of Aberdeen;
- Only one application per group will be considered;
- Applications must be from a constituted group or organisation;
- The event must take place in a venue in Aberdeen and be for the benefit of the local community;
- The funding can be used for the purposes of entertainment, venue hire, transport, staffing, decoration or catering;
- None of the monies requested or received can be used for the purchase or supply of alcohol at the proposed event.
The Community Festive Fund operates a 3 strikes policy in order to allow funding to be spread across more community groups. In practice this means that groups that have applied and received funding for 3 consecutive years must wait a year before applying again.
Applications for the fund should be submitted online via our website and the closing date is 12noon on Friday 28th October 2022.
The Council will endeavour to award the amount requested. However, due to the number of applications anticipated and to ensure a fair allocation of funds, groups may receive a percentage reduction on their request.
Full details regarding the eligibility criteria are available from our website or alternatively by emailing the City Events Team at cityevents@aberdeencity.gov.uk