Apply for Festival and Events Grant Program (Ireland)

Deadline: 30-Jan-2026

The Westmeath County Council Festival and Events Grant Scheme 2026 supports community and voluntary groups, as well as business groupings, to organize events that boost cultural life and economic activity in County Westmeath. Funding prioritizes innovative, accessible, and sustainable events that attract visitors, involve volunteer effort, and have potential to become recurring highlights in Westmeath’s calendar.

Programme Overview

The Festival and Events Grant Scheme is designed to support, encourage, and promote events that contribute to the cultural, social, and economic life of County Westmeath.

The scheme focuses on events that:

• Generate economic activity in towns, villages, and surrounding areas

• Attract visitors from outside the county

• Involve significant voluntary input

• Have the potential to become recurring events in the county’s official Calendar of Events

Objectives and Priorities

The scheme prioritizes events that demonstrate the following:

• Economic impact: Increase the economic value to the county or local area

• Creativity and innovation: Deliver unique, engaging, and forward-looking experiences

• Sustainability: Ensure events can continue into the future

• Accessibility: Be inclusive of older people and those with disabilities

• Cultural and social contribution: Enrich Westmeath’s cultural calendar

• Voluntary effort and organizational capacity: Showcase strong community involvement and management

• Cost-effectiveness: Deliver value for funding with potential match funding from other sources

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

• Community and voluntary groups organizing significant local events

• Business groupings aiming to boost economic activity in towns or villages

Ineligible Applicants

• Individual businesses or commercial enterprises

• Events outside County Westmeath

Eligible Events

Events must:

• Take place within County Westmeath

• Demonstrate community engagement and economic/cultural impact

• Have potential to become a recurring feature of the county’s event calendar

Ineligible Events

• Reunions or commemorative events

• Annual club or social functions

• Localized sporting celebrations

• Small-scale fundraising or family events

Funding Purpose

The grant aims to:

• Enhance community engagement and volunteer participation

• Attract visitors and tourism activity

• Enrich the cultural and economic landscape of Westmeath

• Recognize and support the voluntary effort involved in delivering events

How to Apply

1. Identify an event that aligns with scheme priorities

2. Prepare a clear proposal including:

   • Event objectives and expected economic/cultural impact

   • Volunteer involvement and organizational capacity

   • Accessibility measures

   • Budget and potential match funding

3. Submit the application within the specified deadlines via the County Council portal

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

• Economic and cultural impact

• Innovation and creativity of the event

• Feasibility and cost-effectiveness

• Community engagement and voluntary participation

• Potential for recurring presence in Westmeath’s Calendar of Events

Tips for Applicants

• Clearly demonstrate economic benefits and visitor attraction potential

• Show strong volunteer involvement and event organization

• Highlight inclusive practices, such as accessibility measures

• Provide a realistic and transparent budget with any match funding opportunities

• Focus on events with long-term sustainability and repeatability

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for this grant?

Community and voluntary groups, as well as business groupings organizing events in Westmeath.

2. What types of events are supported?

Events that boost economic activity, involve volunteers, are culturally significant, and have potential for recurrence.

3. Are commercial or individual business events eligible?

No. Individual businesses or purely commercial events are not eligible.

4. Are accessibility and inclusivity important?

Yes. Events must be accessible to older adults and people with disabilities.

5. Can sporting or social club functions be funded?

No. Localized sporting celebrations, reunions, annual club functions, and family fundraising events are not eligible.

6. Is match funding required?

While not mandatory, events demonstrating match funding or cost-effectiveness are prioritized.

7. Where must events take place?

All supported events must be located within County Westmeath.

Conclusion

The Westmeath County Council Festival and Events Grant Scheme 2026 provides critical support for community-driven, innovative, and culturally significant events. By funding initiatives that attract visitors, involve volunteers, and strengthen the local economy, the scheme promotes sustainable cultural development while enhancing Westmeath’s profile as a vibrant destination.

For more information, visit Westmeath County Council.