The Event Island Community Grant could be just what you need to turn your ideas into reality. Designed to support local groups in organising events on Event Island, this grant, provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to strengthen co-operative working, enhancing local spaces, and address the challenges facing our residents.

Whether you're looking to create a new community festival, host a neighbourhood gathering, or support those impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, this grant can provide the financial backing to make your event a success on Event Island Stevenage.

Application advice

The Event Island Community Grant is open, and applications can be made online using the link at the bottom of this page.

When applying for a grant, please note the following:

• Your event must be held on Event Island Stevenage.
• Community groups can only make one application per year.
• Groups must have their own bank account. Funding is only available for organisations, not individuals.
• Your community group must have a valid email address.
• Your event must be free to attend.
• Groups can apply for up to £500 for their event. The minimum amount that can be awarded is £100
• The dates you wish to run your event on Event Island are subject to availability.
• The grant cannot be used for anything that is illegal or contrary to Stevenage Borough Council’s Community Safety Policies.

What can the grant be used for?

A grant from the Event Island Community Grant Scheme can be used for your event to cover:

• Staff costs
• Training costs
• Transport
• Equipment
• Volunteer expenses
• Contractor costs (for example, first aid, security)
• Entertainment and activities (for example, face painter, balloon maker).

We cannot fund:

• retrospective costs
• alcohol
• contingency costs, loans, endowments, or interest
• profit-making activities
• VAT you can reclaim
• religious activities (we can fund religious organisations if their project benefits the wider community and does not include religious content)
• party political campaigning, or mainly political activities
• statutory activities
• Events that take place outside Event Island Stevenage.
• activities that make profits for private gain
• Income that will be given directly to individual

When will I receive my funding?

If your application is accepted and you are granted funds from the Event Island Community Grant, you will need to book your event at Event Island. Once this is done and confirmed, the grant award will be released. You can find more information about Event Island, and book to hold your event via the enquiry form on the Event Island page.

As part of your application for a community grant, and when booking Event Island you will need to supply:

• Event Risk Assessment
• Event Management Plan
• Employee and Public Liability Insurance (value up to 10 million)
• Safeguarding policies where applicable

Payment will be made 21 days after the grant is accepted, and Event Island has been booked.

Please read the Event Island Community Grant Guidelines before applying.