While COVID-19 has caused havoc with the lives of people across NSW, Australia and the world, a fund designed to help people in regional areas run events will proceed with the application process in an effort to ensure things return to normal post the pandemic.
Destination NSW will continue accepting Regional Event Fund applications from event owners to support NSW communities to attract visitors and provide a boost to local businesses, with applications for the NSW Government’s $1 million Regional Event Fund open through to midnight Wednesday 25 March 2020, after which all submissions will be assessed based on merit.
Myself and my staff have spoken to numerous event organisers in the Dubbo electorate who were considering applying for funding but were uncertain whether to due to the current situation.
Event owners can apply to one of two funding streams: the Flagship Event Fund (to support event marketing activities) and the new Micro Event Fund (to support community-based events with limited budgets).
To be eligible for funding events must be delivered between 1 May and 31 December 2020.
However in line with current Australian Government requirements regarding non-essential, static gatherings of people, Destination NSW will, as part of the assessment, liaise with applicants whose events are impacted by the restrictions to discuss their plans.
For more information and to submit an application for the Regional Event Fund: www.destinationnsw.com.au/ref