Welcome to the on-line form. It is similar to the previous Strategic Events and Festivals Application Form and will take the same amount of time to fill in. There are a number of ways you can choose to complete the form:
- Login with an existing myaccount account. We have over 25,000 registered users in Argyll and Bute and you may be one.
- Register for a new account and then login. You can find out how to do this here.
- Complete the form without logging in however you will not be able to save as you go.
Please note that you will need TO ATTACH the following documents to your application therefore please have these ready before filling out the application:
- Organisational Constitution and Structure
- Business and Marketing Plan
- Environmental Management Plan
- Full Profit and Loss Audited Accounts for the last 2 years.
If you experience any problems with the on-line application please contact eventsfestivalsenquiries@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Q1 – Q5. Applicants should provide all general details, such as address and relevant contact details.
Q6. Applicants should select the type of event or festival they are planning to hold. If Applicants select ‘Other’ they must provide a description. Applicants should fill in the box underneath Q6 to provide as much information as they are able. Applicants who are applying for over £5,000 should provide a comprehensive description.
Q7. Applicants must operate on a not-for-profit distribution basis to be eligible to apply for funding, i.e.any surplus made is reinvested in sustaining the event for the future and not re-distributed in any way, i.e. to shareholders as per your organisation’s constitution. In addition, the Fund will only support organisations where a clear benefit to the local community can be demonstrated.
Q8. Applicants must confirm that they do not have any outstanding debts to the Council in relation to the event or festival. If the Applicant does have a debt a box is provided to explain the situation in regard to the outstanding debt. However, your application will not progress if there is not a justifiable reason for this debt.
Q9. Applicants must upload a copy of their organisation’s constitution and structure.
Q10. Applicants should provide a link to their website/social media platform(s).
Q11. Applicants must enter the total cost to deliver the event or festival.
Q12. Applicants must state how much grant funding they are requesting from the Strategic Events and Festivals Fund. Please remember that the total grant requested must not exceed 20% of the total cost of the event or festival.
Q13. Applicants should check the boxes provided to say which Outcome(s) your event or festival best aligns with. You should use the drop down space provided to describe how your event aligns with the Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan outcomes, as well as the Culture Heritage and Arts Action Plan and the Event Scotland National Events Strategy. All Applicants should provide a description and if you are applying for more than £5k we require more detailed information. Please find the documents below.
Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan
Event Scotland National Events Strategy
Culture Heritage and Arts Action Plan
Argyll and Bute Economic Strategy 2019-2023
Q14 – 17. The Strategic Events and Festivals Fund is a strategic fund designed to support events that have the ability to attract visitors to the area. It is therefore expected that a significant percentage of attendees will be from outside Argyll and Bute. We acknowledge that you may wish to use pre Covid-19 figures in your response.
Q18. Applicants should confirm if their event or festival will attract international visitors. If you are applying as a large-scale event you will be expected to show that a significant percentage of your attendees come from outwith Scotland and be able to provide a detailed breakdown on the make-up of your attendees. Please highlight this section within your business plan. Similarly, if you are applying for a larger amount based on the uniqueness of your event, with the ability to attract new visitor markets to the area, you will be expected to show how your event appeals to new or emerging markets.
Q19. Applicants should fill in the Economic Impact table. In this section please complete your forecast of the economic impact your event will have. Applicants should think about how many visitors they anticipate, how many tickets they might buy and what impact they might bring to the area, in terms of spend at the event, spend on food and drink and also accommodation. At the bottom of the table applicants should add all of the anticipated spend and this will give an indication of the total economic impact. This should take into consideration your economic impact figures from the previous year if you have them.
Q20. Applicants should demonstrate that their organisation provides opportunities for the community - volunteer involvement is an essential eligibility criteria, and events run entirely by volunteers will score highest in this category.
Q21. Applicants should confirm whether their event or festival will support Gaelic Culture, and explain how.
Q22. Applicants should confirm whether their event or festival will be held on an island.
Q23. Applicants should confirm whether the event of festival will be held in an area of disadvantage. Areas of disadvantage are considered to be within the top 20% most deprived places in Scotland and which can be found using Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation data (SIMD Deciles 2020 map data). A link is provided as follows: https://simd.scot/#/simd2020/BTTTFTT/12/-4.9650/55.9287/
Q24.Applicants must confirm whether they require a PVG Check for the event or festival.
Q25. Applicants are requested to provide a copy of their Business and Marketing Plan relating to the event or festival. Where business plans extend beyond the scope of the event, please highlight the relevant pages and chapters in respect of your application. Applications will not be considered without this information. Business Plans must be current and relevant, i.e. prepared within the last 2 years. However, we are aware of the difficulties encountered by the Events Industry due to the Covid-19 pandemic and this will be taken into consideration during assessment. If your event is of a smaller scale or a new event, and guidance is required, please note a combined business and marketing plan guide is attached for your use.
Q26. Applicants should provide a breakdown of who their event or festival marketing is aimed at.
Q27. Applicants should confirm how long their event has been running.
Q28. Applicants must attach their environmental management/ action plan to demonstrate how they are reducing the carbon footprint and waste impact of their event. Please find advice on this here Event Sustainability Advice | VisitScotland.org
Q29. Applicants will, ideally, submit audited accounts for 23/24 as well as 22/23. Please note we can also accept accounts submitted to OSCR.
Reserves must be shown with any other calls on the reserves, i.e. any ring fenced funds identified. Audited accounts will be independently assessed by an accountant as part of the scoring process.
New events (i.e. those events having never been held before) are exempt from this requirement.
Q30. Applicants must complete the anticipated Income and Expenditure Budget Breakdown. Please note that this Budget Breakdown MUST balance and you must detail how SEF Funding will be used. A Budget Breakdown which does not balance means your application will be ineligible. Please ensure you show what you are requesting funding from SEF for.
Due to the limited funds available and the desire to support as many events as possible, you are reminded that there is no guarantee of securing SEF funding, nor is there a guarantee that should you be successful that you will secure the full amount requested. It is therefore important to consider, and to show, an element of contingency within your Budget Breakdowns. Funds will only be provided to event organisers on the basis that the event is guaranteed to happen and that sufficient measures are in place to mitigate against any risk of the event not taking place.
Q31. Applicants must complete the Funding Profile for their event or festival, showing any other funding that you have applied for. Please note that any Strategic Events and Festivals award will be notified on February 16th 2024.
If Applicants wish to add more Funders to their application, they should attach these in a separate document and email this to eventsfestivalsenquiries@argyll-bute.gov.uk along with their application.
Please note that proof of match funding, in letter format (on headed notepaper), may be required to support the application. If successful, you will be asked for evidence to show that match funding is in place before any Council funding can be provided.
Q32. Applicants should provide details on how they will manage risk and health and safety legislation. All COVID 19 rules have now been lifted in Scotland; However, there are still guidelines for a safer environment for all and these can be found here:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-general-guidance-for-safer-workplaces/
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