February 2, 2023 | By Bronwen Largier
Applications for Melbourne’s Small and Medium Events Program are open now, while the second round of the Events Funding Program administered by the Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) opens on Monday, February 6.
Suburban event fund open in Melbourne
The Melbourne funding program is offering up a total of $3 million for public events of between 1,000 and 10,000 attendees held in suburban Melbourne between June and December this year.
Up to $25,000 per event is available for events with fewer than 5,000 attendees, while events of 5,000 to 10,000 attendees can apply for $25,000 to $50,000 in funding.
Events must be held outside of the City of Melbourne local government area, but within Melbourne’s suburban bounds. Funds can be used to offset event costs like venue hire and marketing.
“We’re backing smaller events across the city and suburbs, because more options diversifies the offering for locals and visitors alike,” said Victoria’s tourism, sport and major events minister Steve Dimopoulos.
“We know events deliver massive benefits to the Victorian economy and with this new program, we’re supporting more jobs and backing communities.”
Applications for the Small and Medium Events Program close on February 28.
Northern Territory public events fund about to open
In the Northern Territory, the government is offering up to $100,000 in financial support per event for community, mass participation and major events in the territory, through the NTMEC’s Events Funding Program.
Up to $100,000 is available for event development, while mass participation events held between October and March are eligible for $50,000 in funding – with packets of up to $30,000 available for similar events in the other half of the year and for community events – while grants of up to $15,000 may be given in strategic funding.
Those looking for major event funding must submit an expression of interest between February 6 and February 17, to be considered. Potential candidates will be invited to complete a full application based on the EOIs received.
Applications for all other funding close on March 3, 2023.
“The Territory Labor Government’s priority is to support events held during the shoulder season and those that attract a high numbers of interstate visitors,” said the NT’s Minister for Major Events, Paul Kirby.
“This program not only gives established events the opportunity to grow, but also allows organisers to develop new experiences.”
The first round of funding for the Events Funding Program is supporting 39 events, with a collective $2.4 million in grants. Twenty-five of the 39 events secured multi-year funding deals.
