That was the message from Arts and Culture Minister Edwin Poots MLA, at the launch of the Garden Show Ireland, in Hillsborough Castle today.
He said: “Events of this type are vitally important to the Northern Ireland economy and tourism and offer opportunities to showcase the very best Northern Ireland can offer to the rest of the world.”
Earlier this month the Minister launched a grant funding programme totally £1.6million to support both large and small events. Explaining the aim of the funding programme, the Minister said: “The Major Events Fund is aimed at big events which will attract tourists, investors, international media coverage and will have a major economic impact on Northern Ireland.
“Events which have qualified for this type of funding in the past year include, Rally Ireland at Stormont, the Walker Cup Golf Championship at Royal County Down in Newcastle and the FIM Motorcycle Championships, in Bangor.
“The Events Growth Fund supports events which will grow and impact on local communities, helping to build confidence and pride, as well as attracting visitors. The aim is to support events which start small and have the potential to grow to a point where they are self-sustaining.
The Garden Show Ireland is an excellent example of a top quality event which has grown each year, attracting around 30,000 visitors to the Hillsborough area and generating in the region of £1million for the local economy. I would like to see more events like this, organised and run by local people and attracting an international audience.”
The Minister added: “The Funds provide an opportunity too good to miss and I want to remind organisers that they need to submit their applications by 2 May if they are to be in with a chance of being considered for funding at this time.”
Notes to Editors:
- Funding for events is currently managed by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. DCAL is now seeking applications for funding for 2008-2009 under two funding streams; the Events Growth Fund (EGF) and the Major Events Fund (MEF).
- The Events Growth Fund is for small events which could 'grow' into large scale events. Projects funded under this stream should have the potential to grow or develop into a major/international event, provide a stepping stone to attracting a major event and become sustainable over a three-year period.
- The Major Events Fund is for those applicants applying for support for large events attracting significant out of state media. The events likely to fall within this category are major national or international world events, such as world championships, sporting events, high profile music events or unique cultural events.
- Application forms along with guidance notes are available for download at www.dcalni.gov.uk/events_unit
- Applications for funding under both streams must be received by no later that 5.00pm, Friday 2 May 2008.
- Application forms and guidance notes may also be obtained by contacting the DCAL Events Unit team, via email: at eventsunit@dcalni.gov.uk or write to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, DCAL Events Unit, Grants Team, Redwood House, 66 Newforge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5NW
- A working group of senior officials within DCAL, DETI and NITB has been established to oversee the transfer of the events function to NITB at an appropriate time subject to both the Minister of Culture Arts and Leisure and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment being satisfied with the arrangements.
- 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.
