FUNDING
Longford Town Night Time Economy Grant 2024
Longford County Council is pleased to announce the launch of a pilot Longford Town Night-Time Economy initiative which includes public consultation and a funding opportunity up to €3,000 for evening and night-time events.
Longford Town is one of nine locations in Ireland chosen to take part in this Night-Time Economy pilot. The pilot aims to encourage innovation and increase the diversity of social, cultural, and economic activities happening in the evening and at night-time hours.
The other locations are Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny City, Drogheda in County Louth, Sligo, and Buncrana in County Donegal.
It is an initiative of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media. It is supported by Longford County Council, with the recent appointment of Dympna Reilly as Night-Time Economy Advisor for Longford Town.
Public consultation
As part of the Night-Time Economy pilot, a public consultation process for Longford Town is set to start in the coming weeks. This will include a public facilitation workshop on Wednesday, 26 June. This workshop will feed into a Longford Town night-time economy action plan. To attend, email dreilly@longfordcoco.ie
Night-Time Economy grant scheme
As part of this Night-Time Economy pilot scheme, funding of up to €3,000 is available for new night-time events taking place after 6pm in Longford Town. Proposals are sought from local businesses, community groups, event organisers, collaborators, and individuals.
Proposals should aim to attract new audiences and inspire new uses of existing spaces in Longford Town. Events and initiatives proposed should add to the variety of offerings and experiences for Longford Town residents and visitors. Collaboration with artists and cultural communities in Longford is welcome.
Proposals must support the growth and diversity of the night-time economy with events which will take place on specified dates in September and October 2024, as follows:
- Saturday, 7 September 2024
- Saturday, 21 September 2024
- Friday, 11 October 2024
- Halloween on Thursday, 31 October 2024
Events that may be funded include but are not limited to:
- Sporting events, runs, walks, evening Parkrun
- Exhibitions, tours, history events, poetry readings, light shows
- Film screenings, theatre shows, comedy shows, outdoor cinema events
- Live music and DJing, dance events
- Live podcasts, storytelling events
- Evening markets, cookery demonstrations, food trails
- Classes, wellbeing initiatives, fashion shows
- Extended opening hours for retail business and cafes
Applications are via the online application form below. The closing date for submission is Friday, 21 June 2024. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Full terms and conditions apply.
Successful applicants will be notified at the start of July and all funds must be drawn down within two weeks of the event completion.
A programme of events will be compiled and promoted by the Night-Time Economy Advisor. Marketing material will be shared with applicants for their promotion and cross promotion of events is encouraged to maximise footfall into Longford Town.
Applicants will be asked to provide post-event data. This is to help evaluate the success of the Longford Town Night-Time Economy pilot initiative.
Please read the GUIDELINES → here before submitting your application.
Closing date: Friday 21st June 2024.
Incomplete applications and applications received after this closing date will not be considered for grant assistance.
Funding drawdown:
To receive payment, the successful applicant must do the following within 2 weeks of the event completion:
- Submit the funding drawdown form.
- Provide data following the event. This will help Longford County Council evaluate the success of the pilot and will assist in gaining valuable insights into who is attending the late-night events, the number of attendees and their overall experience of the events/initiative. This will be part of the funding drawdown form.
- Evaluate the event. This will allow Longford County Council to evaluate the effectiveness of the funding and gain learnings from the pilot. This will be part of the funding drawdown form.
- Submit paid invoices and receipts for the proposed expenditure as outlined on the original application form.
- Submit a completed “supplier set up form” with tax registration certification and copy of your bank statement header. This is to set you the supplier up on Longford County Council’s payment system. Payment will be made by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) only.
- Provide photographic evidence that the project/initiative/event has taken place. Photos may be used by Longford County Council for future marketing.
