Council has
finalised details of the new $300,000 Community Events Fund, by endorsing the Community
Investment and Support Fund (CISF) – Community Events and Community Events
Rapid Response Guidelines.
The Community Events Fund aims to support
moderate-sized events, which bring economic benefits to the City, enrich the community,
celebrate common interests and provide opportunities for local participation.
Up to $20,000 is on offer for events in 2020 and
multi-year funding is an option, with application rounds opening in September 2019 and February 2020.
The fund will be advertised and community
information sessions will be held to provide details about the timelines, and the application and assessment process.
Applications will be
reviewed by an independent assessment panel, made up of community members who
were appointed based on experience and suitability.
Funding of $100,000 per
year for three years has been allocated by council from the Community Events
Fund to Diversitat to support Pako Festa.
Council has
also allocated $30,000 to support a Community Events Rapid Response process, ensuring
events that require urgent support and cannot meet the CISF timelines have a chance to apply for funding.
These events can apply
for a one-off payment of up to $10,000, which will come from the Community
Events Fund.
Funding for Diversitat
and the Community Events Rapid Response process leaves a total of $170,000
available in the Community Events Fund over two rounds.
The CISF – Community Events and Community Events Rapid Response Guidelines can be viewed within the 13 August 2019 council meeting agenda.
Councillor Bruce Harwood – Mayor
The funding on offer from the Community Events Fund will no doubt pave
the way for new, exciting events to be held in Greater Geelong, further adding
to our reputation of putting on quality events of all sizes.Council’s decision to set aside funds for a rapid response option allows
for flexibility in the application process, as we want to make sure a fair
chance is given when applying for funding.
Councillor Pat Murnane – Chair, Finance portfolio
Events
supported by the Community Events Fund will bring economic and social benefits to
the different population centres throughout our region, including opportunities
for local participation. The fund meets four of the eleven priority areas of
our Council Plan 2018-2022.There are a number of distinct local communities around Greater Geelong
and we want them all to have an event that they can be proud of. Pako Festa
which has a long history in Geelong West and hopefully this fund can help start
new events in other parts of the region, that can grow to similar iconic status.
