Cultural and Creative Events Fund 2025/26

Applications are now closed

We are delighted to announce the Cultual and Creative Events Fund 2025/2026, with a total value of £30,000.

We will consider applications for micro grants between £200 and £2000 for cultural and creative events or activities taking place between 01 May 2025 and 30 April 2026.

The closing date for applications will be Tuesday 04 February 2025.

What is a cultural/creative event

The definition of a ‘cultural/creative event’ is flexible. It may be a multi event festival covering a period of some weeks or months or a one-day event or activity.

The event or activity should be open to anyone to attend.

We expect most activity supported by the fund will be free to participants/audiences. If you are charging for the event or activity you must be clear where any income generated will be assigned.

Commercial events for profit are not eligible for support from this funding stream.

Where the event can take place

The event or activity must take place within the City of Colchester but can be centred in any community or place within the local authority boundary.

Who can apply for funding

The application must be submitted by a voluntary or professional organisation active within the City of Colchester local authority area.

While applications from individuals are not impossible, there needs to be wider public benefit beyond that to the individual themselves, and it is expected that in most cases applications will be submitted on behalf of organisations.

Only one grant will be awarded to an individual/organisation in any one financial year. Multiple applications for separate events falling within a ‘festival’ will not be accepted.

Only applications which achieve at least three of the following will be considered for funding:

• Delivers a high-quality cultural or creative experience to local audiences.
• Develops or showcases local creative talent.
• Celebrates, explores and raises awareness of local history and heritage.
• Encourages visitors to the City of Colchester local authority area.
• Celebrates the diverse communities within the City of Colchester local authority area.
• Contributes to the health and wellbeing of our residents by getting them involved in art and culture.

Applying for an established annual or pre-existing event

If you are applying for an established annual or pre-existing event or activity you should demonstrate how funding will build upon and add value to the existing activity. For example providing something new, engaging with an additional or different audience or group, or taking the event to a different location/venue within the City of Colchester.

Events or activity that is already receiving funding from Colchester City Council will not be considered.

We will not fund:

• 100% of the cost of the project - we expect to see partner contribution(s)/sponsorship, either in cash or ‘in-kind’ (minimum 25% contribution).
• Current projects in deficit.
• Projects which have already taken place or start within the grant assessment and administration period (12 weeks from the closing date).
• Projects which take place outside of the City of Colchester local authority boundary.
• Projects for commercial gain.
• Any project where the applicant has outstanding debts to or in dispute with Colchester City Council.
• Previous grant recipients who have not supplied event evaluation when this has been requested.
• Events or activity already receiving funding from Colchester City Council.
• The procurement of Colchester City Council services, commercial or otherwise (hire of venues for example). This does not prevent the planned activity using paid council facilities or services, but you must prove these can be paid for by resources other than any grant awarded by CCC (Colchester City Council).

What happens after you have applied

Applications will be assessed against the criteria by a panel chaired by the Portfolio Holder for Communities.

Decisions about awards will be made within the available resources. If the fund is oversubscribed, successful applicants may be granted a proportion of and not the full amount of their request.

Decisions will be made within a maximum of 6 weeks of the closing date. You will be informed in writing of the outcome of your bid.

We strongly advise you to factor in sufficient time from the assessment and administration period (12 weeks from the closing date) to start your project.

The decision of the panel is final, but you can ask for feedback.

Receiving the grant

These one-time project grants will be paid as set out in the offer letter. The total grant amount will not exceed £2000.

The amount written in the offer letter is the maximum we will pay. No funds will be released until a conditions of grant agreement has been signed and returned.

Funds will not be released to personal bank accounts.

Cancellations and delays

If you expect your activity to be delayed or the event has to be cancelled, you must contact us as soon as possible to explain and we will confirm whether this is acceptable.

If we consider that this is not acceptable, we reserve the right to rescind the grant.

We have the right to take back the grant under any of the following circumstances:

• Failure to obtain necessary artists’ insurance.
• Failure to obtain necessary Disclosure and Barring Service checks.
• If your organisation goes into financial administration or you go into bankruptcy or insolvency.
• If you do not follow our reasonable instructions or meet any special conditions imposed on your award.
• If you do not use your award for the purpose for which it was awarded.
• If you changed your award-related activity from the application specifications without requesting permission from us first.
• If you act illegally or negligently at any time during the funded activity, related to that activity.
• If we believe your actions harm the reputation of Colchester City Council.
• If you transfer the grant to another person or organisation.

Evaluation and marketing

All event organisers receiving funding should be prepared to complete and submit an evaluation of their event if we request this.

If you do not submit an evaluation of your event, you could be barred from applying in the future.

Successful applicants must include the Colchester City Council logo on all promotional materials as an acknowledgement of the financial support provided.

Unfortunately it is not possible to save your application and come back to it later. If you exit the process part way through your application will not be saved.

You will receive an email receipt after you have submitted your application. If you have not received a notification within 48 hours but believe your form was submitted successfully, email culture@colchester.gov.uk.