Local and new events across Northern Territory boosted with funding

Northern Territory event organisers are being offered a new round of the Northern Territory Government’s Event Funding Program (EFP), which supports a wide range of events and will open on 15th July.

Round one of the 2024-25 Event Funding Program, administered by Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC), will support an array of events that highlight the Territory’s offerings and increase economic value of visitors to the Territory.

Event organisers from across the Territory can apply for funding to help drive and enhance the liveability of Territorians and instil a positive social impact on the community. 

The EFP supports the local events sector, attracts new events to the Territory, boosts tourism and visitation, and enhances the Territory lifestyle by helping to build a year-round events calendar.

Each round supports a wide variety of events, including cultural days, music festivals, major sporting events and special interest events. The 2023 – 24 Event Funding Program supported over 43 events including the Chariots of Thunder, Barunga Festival, Alice Springs Beanie Festival and Thailand Grand Festival.

The EFP has three categories to simplify the application process:

• Cultural Event – celebrates arts, music, culture, multi-culturalism, food and beverage, innovation, diversity, niche interests and seasonality;

• Sport Event – celebrates sport, inspires sport participation, improves liveability;

• Aboriginal Cultural Event – celebrates Aboriginal culture, inspires the community, attracts visitation, and encourages, supports, empowers and builds the capacity of Indigenous businesses.

NTMEC Event Funding Manager Alison Wheeler enthused “We are thrilled to support an array of inclusive and colourful events and festivals through the Event Funding Program.

"The program is responsible for supporting some of the most exciting and iconic events in country, that not only bring people to the region but enhances the liveability for Territorians.

“The Territory hosts some of the most inclusive and diverse events in Australia, many of which attract national and even international attention. We can’t wait to see who applies in this new round.”

Information sessions are planned for Alice Springs on Tuesday 9th July and Darwin on Thursday 11th July. To make it easier for event organisers, the Darwin session will include a representative from the Community Benefit Fund to explain guidelines for both funding streams. For session details, including virtual options, and to RSVP email: ntmec.grants@nt.gov.au

The EFP applications open Monday 15th July and will close Friday 9th August. To find out more head to www.ntmajorevents.com.au

Image. Credit: Barunga Festival https://barungafestival.com.au/about/