Reminder to festival organisers

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is reminding organisers of festivals that applications for funding from the £450,000 Community Festivals Fund should be made direct to local councils.

“The Executive agreed that from 1 April 2008 the administration of the Community Festivals Fund would transfer to local authorities. This was one of the recommendations of the Review of Public Administration which I believe will bring responsibility for decisions about local events close to the communities which they serve,” said Culture and Arts Minister, Edwin Poots, MLA.

“I am pleased that the majority of local Councils have accepted the offer and agreed to provide match funding to support local festivals in their area. I would urge Councils which have not reached a decision to do so as soon as possible as I am concerned that a number of high profile festivals could be put in jeopardy if organisers do not have the assurance of sufficient funding to allow them to plan their 2008 event,” the Minister added.

Notes to Editors:

1. The main purpose of the Community Festivals Fund is to improve the capacity of community festivals and to make them more sustainable. It enables organisations not only to celebrate the cultural identity of their community, but also to strengthen community relations. It also encourages organisations to become more sustainable through sponsorship and help them become more commercial. The Fund was previously administered by the Northern Ireland Events Company.

2. Twenty councils have responded and agreed to match funding, three (Newtownabbey, Derry and Ballymoney) have indicated that they will be taking up the offer but have to put it through Committee and three are outstanding (Belfast, Cookstown and Larne).

CFF ALLOCATIONS TO DISTRICT COUNCILS BASED ON POPULATION (90%) AND DEPRIVATION (10%)

These amounts are to be matched by the relevant local authority.

3. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure Press Office Tel (028) 9025 8901 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.