Destination NSW – Regional Event Fund: Micro Event Fund

This program aims to maintain vibrancy in local communities, encourage visitation and stimulate local economies. It is a new initiative developed as part of NSW’s 2019-20 bushfire and drought recovery program to support smaller, community-based events in Regional NSW areas impacted by bushfire activity or drought conditions.

For the purpose of this program, micro events are defined as community-based events including but not limited to country shows, town festivals including parades, and cultural festivals whose total expenditure budget is approximately $75,000 (excluding GST) or less.

One-off grants of $10,000 (excluding GST) are available.

Eligible applicants must:
- Be a sole trader, company, incorporated association, or trust entity.
- Hold public liability insurance.
- Not have debts to the NSW Government.
- Hold an Australian Business Number.
- Agree to enter into a contract for funding with Destination NSW.

The six Destination Networks are:
- Destination Riverina Murray
- Destination Southern NSW (including the Snowy Mountains and the Far South Coast)
- Destination North Coast (including Lord Howe Island)
- Destination Country and Outback NSW
- Destination Sydney Surrounds North (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter, Penrith and Hawkesbury)
- Destination Sydney Surrounds South (including the Southern Highlands, Wollongong and the Shoalhaven and Wollondilly)

Eligible events must:
- Be held in one of the six regional NSW Destination Networks’ geographical area.
- Have a minimum of 80% of its activities physically based in NSW.
- Not have received funding from another Destination NSW regional event funding program in the same year.

Grants must be used for the delivery of the event, including but not limited to:
- Operational costs
- Infrastructure costs
- Marketing costs

The main assessment criteria include whether the event:
- Takes place in a region impacted by the drought or recent bushfire activity.
- Takes place between 1 May and 31 December 2020.
- Has a total expenditure budget of approximately $75,000 (excluding GST) or less.
- Can demonstrate an ability to engage and harmonise the local community.
- Can demonstrate an ability to stimulate the local economy.
- Has the potential to attract visitors from outside the local community.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- Event series such as sporting events held in multiple locations across the year.
- Touring events such as concert tours, circuses and fun fairs.
- Promotional events where the marketing of a product is the principal objective
- Business events such as trade shows, exhibitions, conferences and industry meetings.
- Events owned and/or operated by an agency or entity of the Federal Government, or a State or Territory Government including New South Wales.