Call for Entries: Cultural Event Grant Program 2025 (Ireland)

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must have a dedicated Event bank account.
• Applications that attract new, rather than existing events will be given a higher priority for awards.
• Event must be open to all, whether ticketed or not.
• Event is not-for-profit.
• DLR will fund up to 30% of the total cost of the event.
• A budget must be submitted with your application. Please ensure you include evidence of income from alternative sources and an outline of all expenses including compliance and safety regulations, which apply to your event. It is a requirement you highlight the expenses this grant will cover.
• Applicant should be a recognised Community Body, Arts Organisation, Business Association or Sports Club.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Individual businesses and individuals are not eligible for event grants.
• Events of the following nature will not be considered: private functions, breakfasts, lunches/dinners, or similar.
• Applications to host events that promote religious or political purposes or events that exclude or offend parts of the community will not be eligible.

General Requirements

• The proposed event activity must take place within the DLR county.
• Applications from applicants that have breached previous funding agreements with the council, including post event reporting criteria and where no commitment has been made to rectify this, will not be eligible.
• Employees and Councilors of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are not eligible.
• Applicants must demonstrate the financial capacity matched funding to deliver the project activity.
• An application can be for one grant only. If you are applying for more than one grant, separate applications must be submitted. If you are submitting multiple applications, you must number your applications in order of priority.
• Funding requested must be for an event activity to be held in the year of the scheme. Funding will not be granted for events activities held in the previous or subsequent year.
• Any organisation working with children must have a written Child Protection Policy to apply.
• Funding will not be made available for general operating or administrative expenses, including staff, officials, travel to solicit events; building, renovating, and or remodelling a facility; purchasing of permanent equipment for events; expenses of any or organisation traveling outside of the event county; fundraising programmes.
• This grant cannot be used for capital projects, prize money or prizes, to advance a profit venture or advance the activities of the organiser.
• Applicants requiring the use of public open space must comply with consents, permits and licenses. Success in your grant application does not confirm automatic rights to use Public Open Spaces and a separate application must be made to the Council.
• Applications received after the deadline for receipt of applications are not eligible.
• Events activities already provided for by the Council will not be considered for funding.
• Grants will not cover third party grants or assistance to cover loans or deficits, charity fundraising events or the hire fee of Council premises.
• Applicants must have no outstanding debt owing to the Council or any Council controlled organisations.
• Applicants must fully declare any additional council, government or council controlled organisation funding or grant.
• No virtual events activities will be considered for funding.
• Applications from schools, universities or colleges will not be considered for funding.
• Incomplete applications submitted without any required documentation will be refused.
• The Council reserves the right to make minor changes to Guidelines and or Application Form where this will either improve customer service or help to achieve key Corporate Objectives Priorities.
• The decision of the County Council on the dlr Universal Grant Scheme is final.
• The Council is not responsible for any underestimated costs by applicants.

For more information, visit DLRCC.