Please note that this fund is now closed for applications.
Funding update - March 2022
In December 2021 First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a package worth £375 million in business support to mitigate the impact of public health measures introduced to limit the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. VisitScotland and the EventScotland team is administering payments worth up to £19.8 million to the events industry from this funding.
Eligible businesses, which had previously received support through the Events Industry Support Fund, Events Industry Support Fund 2 or the Pivotal Event Businesses Fund, and who had to cancel or postpone events between 8 December and 31 March, have received top-up payments, while a new events fund – Events Industry Support Fund 3 - has been established for event businesses which have previously not had access to COVID-19 event funding support.
Events Industry Support Fund 3
The Events Industry Support Fund 3 was for businesses in the events industry, which had not previously received event-related COVID-19 business support funding, which were still trading and operating, and which had suffered a financial loss due to the cancellation or restriction of events in Scotland between 8 December 2021 and 31 March 2022 due to the Omicron restrictions.
It was open to the self-employed (through limited company or as a sole trader), partnerships and incorporated businesses. Businesses needed to have a place of business in Scotland or be physically operating in Scotland to deliver or supply to the cancelled or restricted events.
Unsuccessful applications to previous COVID-19 funding for the events sector (Events Industry Support Fund, Events Industry Support Fund 2 and/or the Pivotal Events Businesses Fund) needed to demonstrate a material change in circumstances for an application to this fund to be considered.
The application process
Applications for the Event Industry Support Fund 3 are now closed.
If you have successfully applied and received the automated confirmation of your application, please note, we will be unable to provide individual progress updates. You will be informed of a decision in due course.
Guidance| Events Industry Support Fund 3
Published March 2022
If you have any queries about the fund, please contact eventsindustrysupportfund3@visitscotland.com.
The Events Industry Support Fund and Events Industry Support Fund 2 were set up to provide financial support to event businesses, particularly those in the industry’s supply chain, as they dealt with the ongoing impact of COVID-19.
Top-up payments to events businesses which have previously received funding from either the Event Industry Support Fund, Events Industry Support Fund 2 or the Pivotal Event Businesses Fund, and who have had to cancel or postpone events in February and March, are to be made in addition to the December/January top-up payments.
Businesses will be contacted directly by email and asked to confirm core information as well as which the event and date they were due to organise/supply during 1 February 2022 and 31 March 2022, and that the cancellation or restriction of such event(s) has resulted in a loss of projected income. Eligible businesses will receive a top-up payment based on pre-COVID annual turnover:
- £10,000 - £24,999 = £2,000
- £25,000 - £49,999 = £3,500
- £50,000 - £99,999 = £5,000
- £100,000 - £499,999 = £10,000
- £500,000 - £999,999 = £25,000
- £1,000,000 + = £50,000
Guidance | Events Industry Support Fund
Published August 2020
Full guidance and eligibility criteria.
Guidance| Events Industry Support Fund 2
Published February 2021
Full guidance and eligibility criteria.
EISF 1 and Top Up grants awarded
Published May 2021