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What you need to know

Background and purpose

The National Events Programme is one of the core funds run by the EventScotland team, designed to assist in the delivery of the National Events Strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage.

The programme supports the strategic development of events and it has been designed specifically to support public facing live sporting and cultural events, which take place outwith the local authority areas of Edinburgh and Glasgow and drive domestic tourism within Scotland.

Positive impact

The National Events Programme is designed to support new, innovative projects and activity at events which meet the programme criteria. Awards of between £5,000 and £25,000 are available to events which can demonstrate alignment with key impact areas identified in our national events strategy. These events will have delivery budgets in excess of £20,000 and attract more than 1,000 in-person attendees, whilst showcasing Scotland’s key event and tourism assets.

Events are assessed on their merits and the EventScotland team will look at ways the event will create a positive impact for the host region and Scotland as a whole. Events are assessed in terms of their viability and event management experience as well as the five impact areas:

  • Economic, tourism and business
  • Brand, identity and reputation
  • Media and profile
  • Social and cultural
  • Sustainability

The ability of events to deliver against these event impacts determines the support EventScotland can offer.

Application information

Round 48 for applications from eligible events taking place from July to December 2023 (inclusive) is now closed. Applications for round 49 are currently not open and we will advise a deadline for this round of funding as soon as possible.

If you have any queries about the National Events Programme, please email apply@eventscotland.org.

Deadline for application

Not currently accepting applications

Deadline for round 48 applications is now closed.

Download guidance and documents

Download Document Icon

National Events Programme application guidelines.

How to apply

  1. 1

    Read the guidance

    Applicants to the National Events Programme should download and read the latest guidance and criteria (published February 2023). This includes the embedded links to additional guidance and the National Events Strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage.

    National Events Programme 2023 - guidelines and criteria

    Published February 2023

    Guidelines and criteria for applying for funding through the National Events Programme 2023

  2. 2

    Submit an enquiry

    If you are interested in applying to this programme, please submit an enquiry via our website and a member of the team will be in touch as appropriate. 

     

    Please email any questions and queries to apply@eventscotland.org.

  3. 3

    Submit your application

    Applications are closed until further notice. Please ensure you completed step two before you submitted an application. The EventScotland team are here to help and will be able to provide invaluable advice and guidance around eligibility and sustainability of requests.

    Please note, however, that there are no guarantees that an application will be successful; each application will be subject to a thorough and competitive assessment process, the outcomes from which will be shared in due course. 

  4. 4

    Meet the deadline

    The deadline for applications to round 48 of the National Event Programme for events taking place between 1 July to 31 December 2023 (inclusive) was 5pm Friday 24 March 2023.

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