Details

To support the aims of the Edinburgh Event Strategy, the City of Edinburgh Council has launched the Local Events Open Fund 2025/26.

This fund underlines the Council’s commitment to the local creative sector and will support events that demonstrate:

• Commitment to communities;
• Display environmental responsibility; and
• Apply fair work and equality, diversity and inclusion principles.

Priority will be given to events held outside of the City Centre Ward but not to the exclusion of those held in central Edinburgh.

The Council welcomes applications from a range of event disciplines and would encourage applicants to explore all funding options to ensure that the Local Events Open fund is the most appropriate.

funding can be utilised for the following:

• Direct festival/event costs – production, programming, venue/equipment hire, marketing, community engagement, staffing, etc.
• Capacity building and professional development – training, development, well-being and support programmes, coaching, mentoring etc.
• Business development – recruitment, additional expertise, exploring other models for creation, collaboration and mobility.
• Audience development and community engagement – capacity building for inclusion.
• Digital capability – development of infrastructure, access to software, developing accessibility.

Premium information is available exclusively to SCVO members and supporters

Geographical areas funded: Edinburgh

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Capital, Revenue

Fund award sizes

Maximum:

Premium information

Annually awarded:

Premium information

Notes on award amounts:

Premium information

Who can apply

The Council welcomes applications from a range of event disciplines and would encourage applicants to explore all funding options to ensure that the Local Events Open fund is the most appropriate. Both new and established events will be considered for this fund.

When to apply

Now open. Apply by 23:59 on 10 July 2025.

Next deadline: 10 Jul 2025

How to apply

Download application form and submit via email.

Contact information

Exclusions

Premium information

Activites funded: Arts and culture Citizenship and community involvement

Beneficiaries funded: General public Local communities Urban communities

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Last reviewed about 22 hours ago