€11.5m Covid Support Scheme Launched for Events Sector

Minister Catherine Martin (Photo: Maxwell Photography).

€11.5m Covid Support Scheme Launched for Events Sector

Awards of up to €50,000 available; applications open on 4 August.

A new funding scheme to support the live events industry was announced this month by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The Event Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS) is worth €11.5 million and opens for applications on 4 August. 

The new scheme has been launched with the aim of supporting businesses in the live events sector – including those involved in concerts, cultural events, sports, conferences and trade shows – that have been significantly affected by the restrictions of the pandemic. The ESCSS will provide grants of up to €50,000 as a contribution to the fixed costs of the successful applicants. 

Commenting on the new funding scheme, Minister for the Arts, Catherine Martin said:

The events industry was one of the first sectors to close and unfortunately will be one of the last to reopen. It provides work for tens of thousands of people and is the lifeblood for many services and suppliers in villages, towns and cities throughout the country. 

This scheme aims to support businesses supplying services to the events and arts sectors. This is targeted at businesses and suppliers including those who support festivals, concerts, conferencing and live entertainment.

The Event Sector Covid Support Scheme will be managed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and is being funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The scheme follows previous new funding initiatives by the government, including the Live Performance Support Scheme (€25 million) and the Music Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (€14 million) from earlier this year. 

For further information on applying for the The Event Sector Covid Support Scheme, visit: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/bbf9a-events-sector-covid-support-scheme/

Published on 20 July 2021

comments powered by Disqus