The Nelson Events Fund is allocated according to the NCC Events Strategy which aims to support a diverse event offering that provides both community wellbeing and economic benefits, strengthens the region and its identity, stimulates a prosperous, vibrant and engaged community and delivers value at the right time.
The purpose of the Nelson Events Fund is to support events that offer community wellbeing and economic benefits, those that strengthen the region and its identity, stimulate a prosperous, vibrant and engaged community, and deliver value at the right time.
The events fund is allocated according to the NCC Events Strategy which sets out several key objectives for events funding:
The Nelson Events Fund is a limited pool of funding which is made up of two streams: economic and community.
The economic stream recognises that events are an increasingly important economic contributor that can grow the visitor market and help make Nelson an attractive destination.
The community events stream recognises that events are important for community well-being, as they build feelings of belonging, identity, and a sense of pride amongst our diverse community.
While there are two separate funding streams, it is recognised that most events bring benefits in both areas. The application form clarifies where the majority of benefits fall, but the assessment process will take all benefits into account.
Strategic alignment
Events should align with the Regional Identity Framework and, where aiming to deliver economic value, should have relevance for our identified target markets (see Appendix 1 in the Nelson City Events Strategy). Events should also align with relevant Nelson City Council policies such as those relating to Waste Minimisation and Sugar Sweetened Beverages.
Delivery against strategy objectives
Delivery of the strategy’s objectives needs to be clearly demonstrated in economic and/or community well-being terms.
Seasonality
To be eligible for Economic Event Funding it is preferable if the event will increase the number of visitors attracted to Nelson during the ‘off season' (1 March – 30 November). The aim of this is to stimulate repeat visitation over the shoulder seasons and to create awareness to support companies in the attraction of key talent to the region.
Community events can receive Community Event Funding during any period but preference will be given to those that add vitality and interest to the city during the 'off season'.
Capacity to deliver outcomes
An application to the Nelson City Events Fund will need to demonstrate evidence of relevant skills, capability to deliver, including financial viability and detail of other sources of secured funding. Applications will also need to include a multi-year strategy set against key performance indicators for each stage of the event development, demonstrate a pathway to sustainability, and an exit point at which events funding support may no longer be required. Economic events will be expected to provide a return on investment of 10:1.
Context for support
There is a limited pool of public funding to support events and the Events Development Committee must be mindful of the impact of funding decisions on other potentially significant event applications and the need to retain sufficient flexibility to respond to emerging events. Therefore, it may not always be possible to support event applications even if they are a good fit with the criteria.
The applicant must be a Legal Entity, e.g. an Incorporated Society; Trust or Association; or a Business recognised under the Companies Act 1993. Proof of this through a certificate or other documentation must be supplied. For applications that receive support through other means, evidence of the support will need to be supplied. An Environmental Management Plan which considers the event’s environmental impact and plans to reduce this will need to be submitted with the application.
Events held within the Nelson City Council boundaries are eligible to apply for funding from the Nelson City Events Fund.
Events in the Tasman District are not eligible for funding from the Nelson City Events Fund, however the Nelson Regional Development Agency may still be able to assist with promotion of the event and the Te Tauihu Regional Events Fund may be applicable instead.
Funding is allocated by the Nelson City Council (NCC) through its Annual and Long Term Plan processes.
If you feel your event meets the above criteria and would like to discuss the application process in more detail, please contact the Nelson Regional Development Agency’s Events Liaison, Rebecca Leach on 027 577 7158 or by email, rebecca.leach@nelsontasman.nz.
