Ulster-Scots Community Festivals

16 June 2022

The Ulster-Scots Agency has today opened our annual Community Festival funding program. The second tranche is now open and will close Thursday 21st July at 3pm for Festivals from the 1st of August 2022 to the 31st March 2023.

The purpose of the Community Festival Programme is to support the delivery of Ulster-Scots Community Festivals which provide people with opportunities to experience and learn about Ulster-Scots culture, heritage, and language. Ulster-Scots Community Festivals have an important role to play in raising awareness of Ulster-Scots within the wider community. The grant enables the Ulster-Scots people to celebrate their cultural identity and at the same time educate and strengthen the Ulster-Scots communities. The programme also supports the inclusion of Ulster-Scots content in other Community Festivals. 

Minor Festivals  

A minor Ulster-Scots Community Festival will at least be 1 day in length with at least 8 hours of Ulster-Scots activities. Grants will be available from £1,000 up to a maximum of £8,000.  An Ulster-Scots minor festival is a series of Ulster-Scots activities contained within a condensed and continuous period (at least 1 day in length – i.e., 8 hours). These activities will usually be different yet related – all happening within the same short time period. 

Major Festivals  

A major Ulster-Scots Community Festival will have a significant programme of high quality and varied Ulster-Scots activities and will be of at least 4 days in length up to a maximum of 15 consecutive calendar days with at least 28 hours of Ulster-Scots activities that will appeal to international and domestic audiences and deliver economic benefits locally. Grants will be available from £8,001 up to a maximum grant of £20,000. 

Groups are required to submit their application via the online application portal. Groups need to register HERE and you will receive via an email an electronic application form, a copy of the guidelines and a template for a festival plan. 

For more information contact our Community Development Officer Derek Reaney 07843279912 or reaneyd@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk