The aim of this grant program is to support organisers of events to ensure all residents and visitors have access to a range of recreational, social and cultural experiences.
Events held in Indigo Shire will be place-based public activities that celebrate local identity and foster township vibrancy by bringing people together in shared civic spaces. Events will be inclusive, accessible, and open to both local community members and visitors, delivered through events such as performances, markets, workshops, festivals and cultural activities that encourage gathering and participation. Commercial and not-for-profit organisations may host events that are either free or ticketed, where they demonstrate clear community benefit alongside social, cultural, economic, and environmental outcomes.
Indigo Shire Council is committed to working in partnership with local clubs, community groups, committees, service providers and businesses to deliver events that consider:
- Volunteerism and opportunities for participation
- Economic yield and local benefit
- Township vibrancy and celebration of place
- Resilience through community connectivity
- Building place identity and profile
- Creativity and innovation
- Inclusion and accessibility
- Environmental sustainability and stewardship
A total of $55,000 is available for Events and successful grants will range from $1000 to $10,000.
This grant aims to:
- To ensure fair and transparent access to Council funding for groups meeting the grant eligibility criteria.
- To ensure grant funding is used to support Council Plan objectives, with a particular emphasis on disadvantaged and specific need groups and organisations.
- To ensure all grant applications are considered in a consistent and objective manner.
- To provide access to funding for groups who may be unable to secure funding through alternative grants streams.
Indigo Shire Council is committed to working in partnership with local clubs, community groups, committees and service providers to deliver place-based projects that consider:
- Access and inclusion;
- Child safety;
- Gender equity;
- Cultural awareness
This practice ensures the broad engagement, participation, enjoyment and safety of community members in the program.
Please read Council's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy.
https://www.indigoshire.vic.gov.au/About-Council/Accountability/Policies/Diversity-Equity-and-Inclusion-Policy
The eligibility criteria for Indigo Shire’s Event Grants Program are:
- The event is to take place within Indigo Shire.
- One application per organisation.
- Preference will be given to applications for events where funding is not available from other sources (ie. State or Federal funding).
- The group or organisation must be open to or accessible by Indigo Shire residents.
- The event must take place in the 2026 - 27 financial year.
- All applicant organisations must either be incorporated, a registered business, be auspiced by another group or become incorporated as a condition of funding.
- Groups must demonstrate a contribution in the form of cash, voluntary service or in-kind support.
- The applicant must have appropriate public liability insurance.
- Applications will not be considered within the following categories:
- Groups already in receipt of significant support from Council.
- Programs considered the major responsibility of State or Federal Government.
- Events supporting causes not aligning with Council values
- All funded projects must obtain relevant permits and approvals prior to project commencement.
- Event must be held in the same financial year as the grant round.
- Applications received from organisations with outstanding acquittals from previous grant rounds will not be considered.
The assessment of Indigo Event Grants applications is the responsibility of the Indigo Event Grants Assessment Panel who is made up of representatives from the following organisations:
- Indigo Shire - Councillor
- Indigo Shire Council – Community Development Manager
- Sports North East
- Local health services
- Tourism North East
- Murray Arts
The panel will use the following list of criteria to assess applications to Indigo Shire’s 2026-2027 Event Grants Program.
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Each question in the application will be scored against the following criteria:
- Alignment with Council Plan Themes of Places and Community, Economic Resilience and Opportunity, Environment and Heritage. (score 0-3 per theme).
- The capacity to deliver the event by the applicant (score 0-3).
- Evidence of a logical and well supported budget (score 0-5).
Applicants must demonstrate a clear need for Council investment and support. Events intended to generate profit must clearly justify the public benefit and rationale for receiving Council funding.
The Panel will make a recommendation to Council on the distribution of the grant fund. Council makes the ultimate determination via the report prepared by Council officers. The panel will adhere to Conflict of Interest reporting requirements.
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