The City of Edinburgh Council, Culture, Wellbeing and Economy: Innovate Fund 2026/28
Details
This new cultural funding programme is an important action of the recently launched Visitor Levy Scheme which aims to sustain Edinburgh's status as one of the world's greatest cultural and heritage cities.
The fund’s main purpose is to provide revenue grant funding to local cultural organisations to improve resilience, support programming innovation and enhance cultural output through short-to-medium term projects that deliver innovative approaches to supporting the city’s cultural infrastructure.
Project proposals should also align with the named purpose of the Visitor Levy Scheme and thus deliver activities which:
- Support programming innovation by adopting new art forms, digital tools, and community-centred business models by introducing/furthering interdisciplinary collaboration, immersive digital engagement, and co-created public programming respectively
- Enhance cultural output by diversifying programming, adopting digital tools, and fostering inclusive leadership ensuring greater equality of access to culture for lower socio-economic groups through large-scale public celebrations/installations outwith the city centre.
- Improve resilience by adapting business models, introducing new governance models , diversifying income, and fostering workforce well-being. Key strategies include financial diversification, operational flexibility, and strong community engagement
Eligible costs:
- Additional staffing costs to deliver the proposed activity.
- All project costs directly related to the delivery of the proposed activity.
- Professional fees directly related to delivery.
- Project management and monitoring costs (capped).
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Geographical areas funded: Edinburgh
Fund type
- Type of funding:
- Grant
- Type of cost:
- Revenue
Fund award sizes
- Notes on award amounts:
- Premium information
When to apply
Apply by 23:59 on 29 October 2026.
A fund assessment panel will meet to consider applications in w/c 16 November 2026.
Next deadline: 29 Oct 2026
How to apply
Submit your application via the council's online form.
Please note you will be also asked to upload a budget spreadsheet with summary costings per Action along with your Company Articles of Association, latest Accounts, including projected reserves, Business Plan, Diversity and Inclusion Policy/Action Plan, Fair Work Policy, and Environmental Policy.
The council will host two online information sessions on 5 Oct 2026 at 15:00 and 19 Oct 2026 at 10:00. Meeting information is available on the fund website.
Exclusions
Activites funded: Arts and culture
Beneficiaries funded: General public
Last reviewed about 20 hours ago
City Of Edinburgh Council
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Chief Executive Department Waverley Court, 2:7, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG
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