The Small Events Grants programme aims to support the delivery of small community events in Ulster-Scots communities.

The events can cover a range of Ulster-Scots themes and will also provide an opportunity for Ulster-Scots groups wishing to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee The events will provide an opportunity for the Ulster-Scots Agency to work with groups to raise awareness of Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture; and increase the amount of Ulster-Scots activity being delivered in communities across Ulster.

The maximum grant available is £1,000 and minimum of £500 which can be used to fund one or two events. Groups will be required to provide match funding of at least 10%. The Agency has developed a set of guidelines which include a list of eligible costs.

Events can cover a range of Ulster-Scots themes, provide opportunities for Ulster-Scots groups to celebrate the Centenary of Northern Ireland, and allow groups to raise awareness of Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture; and increase the amount of Ulster-Scots activity being delivered in communities across Ulster. Activities may include:

• Local history talks
• Ulster-Scots showcase event or mini-tattoo
• Agricultural innovations and the role of Ulster-Scots
• Musical events, masterclasses, compositions to commemorate the centenary
• Walking tours around local points of interest
• Food – traditional Ulster-Scots cookery demonstrations
• Ulster-Scots language and literature discussions
• Centenary and Ulster-Scots exhibitions.
• Other activities which fit within the overall aim of the programme.

Successful applicants will be required to explain:

• How their project will promote Ulster-Scots language, heritage or culture within their community.
• How their project will be delivered, including dates, times, venues and proposed activities.
• How their project will help to revitalise their community as it recovers from Covid-19.

Small Events Eligible Costs and Capped Rates

The Ulster-Scots Agency applies capped payment rates for projects funded under this programme.  This means that for the services or activities set out below, they will only provide you with funding up to the level of the capped rate.  Your group is entitled to pay more than the capped rate, but you will be responsible for funding the difference, which will then form part of your 10% contribution.

Venue Hire

• They will support venue hire costs of £50 for up to 4 hours use and up to £100 for 5 hours or more.
• Where you wish to hire a field, car park or other open space, they will support a cost of up to £50 on a one-off basis.
• Venue hire costs are expected to be inclusive of venue preparation, heat, light, tables, chairs and crockery.
• They will not support venue hire costs where the grant recipient owns or leases the venue.

Musicians

• For music groups, the Agency will support a cost of up to £100 per member up to a maximum of 5 members.
• For solo singers or musicians, the Agency will support a cost of up to £100.
• For marching bands, the Agency will support a cost of up to £300.
• No more than 2 bands will be supported at any one event.

Dancers

• For dance groups or dance schools, the Agency will support a cost of up to £200.
• For solo dancers, the Agency will support a cost of up to £100.

Fife & Drums

• For fife and drum groups the Agency will support a cost of up to £200.
• For solo performers the Agency will support a cost of up to £100.

Speakers/Tutors

• For speakers, the Agency will support a cost of up to £100.
• Walking tour guides, the Agency will support a cost up to £100.
• For tutors delivering a masterclass the Agency will support a cost of up to £25 per hour.

Living History/Drama Groups

• For the services of living history/drama groups the Agency will support a cost of up to £300.
• No more than 2 living history groups will be supported at any one event.

Exhibition Hire

• For someone to display an exhibition at your project, the Agency will support a cost of up to £100 per day, for up to 4 days.

Marketing Costs

• Effective marketing plays an important part in making your event a success.  The Agency will support marketing costs of up to £150 or 15% of the total grant.
• The purchase of bunting or flags. The Agency will cap this cost at £100 or 10% of the total grant.

Equipment Hire

The Agency will support the cost of hiring common items of equipment. The maximum level of support will not exceed £250 or 25% of the grant payable.  Equipment hire may include:

• Marquee
• Stage
• Portaloo
• PA
• Lighting
• Generator

The hire of vintage vehicles i.e. farm or military vehicles, displays of WW1 or WW2 memorabilia and children’s entertainment will only be eligible if a clear link to Ulster-Scots is demonstrated and will be capped at 25% of the total grant payable.

Transport

• Bus hire will be eligible up to a maximum of £300 or 30% of the grant payable.

Planting trees or shrubs

• The purchase of native trees or shrubs to mark the centenary will be eligible up to a maximum of £100 or 10% of the total grant awarded.

All other costs will be ineligible unless agreed by the Ulster-Scots Agency.

Conditions

1. Applications must be submitted by a constituted community or voluntary group/organisation.
2. Only activities taking place between 1st August 2021 and 31st December 2021 are eligible for support.
3. Applications must be submitted using the online portal at least one month before the event.
4. Funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
5. Only one application form may be submitted per group.
6. The online application must be accompanied by the following pieces of supporting documentation, which must be in the name of your group.  Failure to submit any of these documents may result in your application being rejected.

a) The governing document of your group, which should include details of your group’s aims and objectives.  This should have been formally approved and adopted by your group and signed and dated by the current Chairperson.

b) A copy of your group’s most recent financial statements (Annual Accounts), signed off as required by your group’s governing document.  If your governing document says that the accounts have to be audited, then the Ulster-Scots Agency will require them to have been signed off by an independent person, i.e. someone from outside your group.  If your group has been in existence for less than 12 months, you should submit an Income and Expenditure Account up to 30th June 2021.

c) An original bank statement, no more than 2 months old, for your group’s bank account (which must be in the name of your group).  An online bank statement or a bank print out for all accounts will be accepted, but must be authenticated by an authorised officer of the group.

d) If your group has more than £1,000 in the bank, you must supply a written explanation of what you intend to use that money for, i.e. why you need a grant from them to deliver your event rather than using the money that is already in your bank.