Community Festivals Fund

Background

Ards and North Down Borough Council supports community festivals financially via its grants programme.

Previously, Council tested the amalgamation of the Tourism Events Grants Scheme with the Community Festival Fund but it has been determined that to ensure proportionate and relevant information is requested from applicants, the Fund will now be available as two separate funds: the Community Festival Fund and the Tourism Events Fund.

Please note the Community Festival Fund will open on Wednesday 25 February 2026 at 9am.

Each organisation/group can only receive funding for one festival from either of the Community Festival Fund or the Tourism Events Fund.

If you require any assistance with the Community Festival Fund, please contact communitygrants@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk.

To help complete the application forms, please see our guidance videos below:

• Local and Neighbourhood Festivals Grant Applications walkthrough (YouTube video)
• Medium Large Community Festivals Grants Application walkthrough (YouTube video)

Download the application pack and guidance notes below:

• Application Form for Local and Neighbourhood Community Festivals (Word doc, 121 KB) (opens new window)
• Guidance for Local and Neighbourhood Community Festivals (Word doc, 107 KB) (opens new window)
• Application Form for Medium/Large Festivals (Word doc, 122 KB) (opens new window)
• Guidance for Medium/Large Festivals (Word doc, 108 KB) (opens new window)

If you have any queries, please contact the Community Development Section:

Tel: 0300 013 3333 or email communitygrants@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk