Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O’Donovan has announced a series of grant schemes which assists the department in achieving its strategic objective of increasing access to the arts and National Collection.
The Small-Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Schemes are designed to assist local cultural events which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events such as those supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. Funding will be allocated following a competitive applications process, with a maximum grant of €5,000 available.
Introduction
During 2025 the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media will operate a fund for Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools to support the high-level goal of the Department in relation to enhancing access to the arts, culture and film sectors and recognising the social and economic role of these sectors in Ireland.
The projects make a very important contribution to the development and promotion of Ireland’s sustainable cultural tourism offering, to the benefit of both the domestic and foreign tourist and represent an important component of the delivery of the cultural tourism commitments in the Programme for Government.
The maximum amount of funding per applicant is €5,000. Closing date for applications is 4th April 2025.
Objective/Rationale
This scheme assists the Department in achieving its objective to support and develop engagement with and in, the arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities, enriching lives through cultural activity. Projects funded under the scheme must enhance access to the arts, culture and film sectors recognising the social and economic role of these sectors in Ireland.
The Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme is reserved for appropriate not-for-profit festivals, summer schools and other such similar events.
The scheme is designed to support small local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central Government monies and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. Events which are funded by the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland are not eligible.
The Cultural Schemes and Initiatives Unit runs the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer School Scheme. You can contact us by email at f&ss@tcagsm.gov.ie . The assessment of applications is on a competitive basis, and is carried out by an assessment committee. The committee’s decision is final.
Applications
Applications must:
• not be in receipt of funding from the Arts Council or Fáilte Ireland for the event which is subject of the application. This includes Arts Council/ Fáilte Ireland core funding where the event forms part of core business. Please note that the Cultural Schemes and Initiatives Unit will verify if Arts Council/ Fáilte Ireland funding is in place for all eligible applications
• clearly set out the objective, purpose and targeted end result of the proposed project;
• demonstrate the extent to which the project meets the objectives of the scheme with particular reference to the Summer Schools or Festivals element;
• provide all of the project costs and income in tabular format;
• confirm that bodies, organisations and institutions operate as not for profit; the Department may seek evidence such as Memorandum & Articles of Association to demonstrate not-for-profit status.
• outline any details of funding from any other public body or clearly note when you are not in receipt of such funding;
• confirm that the project is realistic in terms of scale, costs, capacity to deliver, assistance sought and timeframe for delivery;
• warrant that all representations that are made in pursuit of the application for funding are accurate and true;
• have all the requisite regulatory approvals in place;
• be tax compliant – please note applications will not be assessed without a tax reference number
• provide copies of event insurance/ public liability insurance/ other appropriate insurance;
• provide details of initiatives for this event in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; the Irish language; or Climate Action;
• provide evidence that the organisation has signed up to the Safe to Create Code of Behaviour https://www.safetocreate.ie/ ; and
• not use hyperlinks to additional material as this will not be included in the assessment
Applications are assessed on a competitive basis and assessment committee’s decision is final.
If the application is successful we will require confirmation that the Local Authority have been notified at least one month before the event.
Eligibility
The following criteria for eligibility apply:
• One application per body for one event or per project will be considered
• Applicants funded directly by Fáilte Ireland and/ or the Arts Council are not eligible for funding under this scheme
• Applicants are not permitted to seek funding from any other scheme administered by the Cultural Schemes and Initiatives Unit (Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme, Co-operation with Northern Ireland Funding Scheme, Small Scale Local Festival and Summer Schools Funding Scheme, Mobility of Collections Scheme) for the same project. If the same project seeks funding for more than one scheme, one or both applications can be rejected
• Organisations or events in receipt of core operational funding (that is, direct funding from the Culture division) of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media are not eligible for funding under this scheme
• Organisations must sign up to the Safe to Create Code of Behaviour in order to be considered eligible https://www.safetocreate.ie/
Payment will be made in arrears on the receipt of paid invoices accompanied by relevant reports and proof of payment in the form of bank statements. Cash payments will not be reimbursed.
Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this scheme may result in funding being withdrawn and/or being excluded from application to further schemes for a determined duration.
What will not be funded
To provide further clarity, below is a list of items which fall outside the scope of the scheme and will not be eligible for funding. This list is not exhaustive and the appraisal committee reserve the right to refuse any application.
1. Capital projects (e.g. equipment, musical instruments, plaques, statues, and so on)
2. Sports days and sporting events
3. Family Fun Day events (Bouncy Castles, Clowns and Face Painting and so on)
4. Boot camps
5. Food Festivals
6. Commercial events / Profit making enterprise
7. Tidy Towns Events
8. Receptions/Hospitality including catering and alcohol
9. Accommodation, subsistence and meals
10. Payments made in cash
11. Mileage / travel costs
12. Prizes and Vouchers
13. Gifts
14. Invoices in the name of the applicant/organisation or companies owned by/linked to the applicant
15. Regular operational costs, including salaries, overheads and accountancy fees
Marking Scheme
Applications will be marked on the following criteria:
• Extent to which the projects meets the objectives of the scheme
• Realistic in terms of scale, costs, assistance sought and timeframe for delivery
• Demonstrate capacity to deliver project
• Level of own or supporting contribution (non-state) towards the project
• Inclusion of initiatives on this project in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; the Irish Language or Climate Action
Contact point
All queries can be emailed to F&SS@tcagsm.gov.ie
If you have an application number, please remember to include this in all correspondence.
Please also note that this document may be updated from time to time.
Deadlines
The closing date for receipt of applications for funding under the Scheme is 1pm on 4th April.
Any funds allocated must be drawn down in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the letter of offer no later than 20th September 2025. Requests for payment will no longer be accepted after the final date and funding will be withdrawn from projects who have not completed full draw down by that date.
Please note an official announcement with approved allocations will be published on the Department’s website.
How to apply
Applicants must read the scheme guidelines before starting the application. The application form is available here – https://submit.link/3kJ . The applicant will need to register before commencing the application.
The applicant should ensure that their application form is completed in full and submitted. A draft version of the application can be saved before it is submitted – but please note that draft applications and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Once an application form has been submitted, a confirmation email from Submit.com will issue to the applicants’ email address. If this has not been received, the application form has not been submitted correctly, and cannot be considered. If you have not received a confirmation of submission please contact the Department as soon as possible to confirm your application has been received.
For more information visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/89595-small-scale-local-festivals-and-summer-schools/
