Support for festivals and events

The Dumfries and Galloway Events Strategy 2023-2027

Dumfries and Galloway Council has approved a new Events Strategy for the region.  The Strategy will cover financial years 2023/2024 through to 2026/2027 inclusive.  The Strategy follows on and has evolved from the Major Festivals and Events Strategy 2018-2022, that was fully delivered by the Council and its partners, and which created a framework for the economic growth of the events sector until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Spring of 2020.  This prior Strategy then focused on supporting community events to be established and to take place safely, to contribute towards health and wellbeing across Dumfries and Galloway after the prolonged periods of lockdown.

The Dumfries and Galloway Events Strategy 2023-2027 will continue investment in the Signature Events of the region, and retains the Major Events Fund and Community Events Fund (see below for information on these Two Funds).  The Council will commission and publish Scotland's first Greener Events Toolkit, and monitor funded projects for their economic, social and environmental benefits.

The Council has secured the UCI World Para-cycling Championships in August 2023 for the region.  We will work closely with the project partners to deliver a World Championships that celebrate the endurance and inspirational qualities of the para-cyclists and profiles the wonderful cycling opportunities of our scenic region.

As with the previous four regional Events Strategies of Dumfries and Galloway, the adoption of this Strategy is an empowering act; to empower events organisers to make the most of their vision and skills, to empower communities to become more self-determining, and to assist businesses and agencies to promote sport, heritage, arts and culture in Dumfries and Galloway.

This Strategy aims to sustain the existing events sector through the difficult economic and social times we are living through, to secure the long term future of our superb portfolio of festivals and events for the long term.

The aim of the Strategy

The aim of the Major Events Strategy 2023-2026 is to develop and sustain Dumfries and Galloway as an internationally renowned rural events destination that continuously attracts new visitors to the region.

The Strategy Vision

The Vision is to make Dumfries and Galloway the best place in rural Scotland in which to plan, manage, deliver and visit great festivals and events.

The Strategy objectives are:

• To deliver the Major Events Strategy 2023-2026 Investment Programme - to act as a catalyst for investment across Dumfries and Galloway
• To promote collaboration, cooperation and shared knowledge in the regional events sector
• To work in partnership with events organisers to reduce the carbon footprint of festivals and events in Dumfries

• Download the Executive Summary of the new Strategy [PDF - 1MB]

Dumfries and Galloway Council Launches Scotland's First Greener Events Toolkit

Dumfries and Galloway Council has researched and launched Scotland's first Greener Events Toolkit, to support the work of festivals and events organisers across the region. The Toolkit has been produced in collaboration with the Southern Uplands Partnership Services Ltd and Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.

The Toolkit aims to encourage festivals and events to be planned and delivered in Dumfries and Galloway with a better understanding of how to reduce their carbon emissions and plan for their long term sustainability.

The toolkit contains all the information, tips and advice organisers require to take forward their projects, putting our pristine, sensitive environment and the Council's commitment to reducing carbon outputs at the heart of their planning.

Full Press release and toolkit available below:

• Press Release [PDF - 135KB]
• Greener Events Toolkit 2023 [PDF - 14MB]

Council Funding to Signature Events 2023/24

Dumfries and Galloway Council is continuing its active delivery of the regional events strategy, and today announced that £145,000 of funding has been awarded to six Signature Events. The events are this year's Wigtown Book Festival and Scottish Rally and Spring Fling, the Arts Festival and Big Burns Supper in 2024. Funding will also be provided for a World Championship Ice Hockey tournament at Dumfries Ice Bowl, if and when the next World Championship Group is attracted to the venue. Council Officers are confident such a tournament will be awarded to the Ice Bowl soon.

The Signature Events policy is unique within Scotland and the UK and secures the immediate future of these events for local people. The Council's Dumfries and Galloway Events Strategy 2023-2027 was adopted in October 2022 and aims to make the region the best in rural Scotland for planning, managing and visiting festivals and events.

The Council is also committed to reviewing if any of the area's growth events can become Signature Events from 2024, to aid the growth, profile and programmes of the next generation of major events in Dumfries and Galloway.

Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of the Council's Communities Committee said, "The Council is completely focussed on the implementation and delivery of the new regional Events Strategy. We have a positive, purposeful partnership with the region's events organisers, and the Signature Events grants we have approved will be highly beneficial to the organisations we are supporting and business and tourism in our region."

Councillor Jackie McCamon, the Vice-Chair of the Communities Committee said, "Our economy is benefitting from our tailored investment in festivals and events. Recently, Gatehouse of Fleet was transformed when the village hosted the Gralloch Gravel Cycling World Cup, with close to 1200 participants and 600 spectators. The event generated a wonderful atmosphere in Gatehouse of Fleet and a huge cash injection into the local economy. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, we are doing everything we possibly can to support our local economy and aid community wellbeing through our well researched events strategy."

The Introduction of the Summer of Cycling Events Fund 2023/24

The Summer of Cycling Events Fund is being introduced to strengthen and enhance cycling events already planned to take place between the 13 May and the 3 September 2023.

The aim of the Fund is to make cycling as enjoyable and accessible as possible to all members of our community and to visitors to Dumfries and Galloway during the period 13 May to 3 September 2023.

Any grant awards made by the Fund will be made in the light of the immediate benefits derived from the grant support and the longer term sustainability of the project.

Please note that applications to this Fund must be emailed to grantapplications@dumgal.gov.uk by 5pm on Friday 14 April.

Guidance on this Fund and the application form can be found below;

• Summer of Cycling Fund Guidance Criteria 2023 [PDF - 175KB]
• Summer of Cycling Fund App 2023 [DOCX - 84KB]

The Council's Summer of Cycling Events Fund Press Release

Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced the launch of the Summer of Cycling Events Fund. The Fund, that has up to £20,000 to distribute to cycling events projects that take place between Saturday 13 May and Sunday 3 September, aims to make cycling more popular than ever before for local people and visitors to the region.

The launch of the Fund comes hard on the heels of the announcement of the new Kirkpatrick Coast to Coast cycling route between Stranraer and Eyemouth, that will attract many thousands of visitors to the South of Scotland and promote our cycling heritage.

Councillor Ian Blake, Chair of the Council's Communities Committee said, "The Council is serious about supporting cycling. This new Fund, aimed at encouraging excellence in our grassroots cycling events, will promote cycling for sport and leisure to many thousands of people. It captures the spirit of freedom of summers in our beautiful region."

Councillor Jackie McCamon, the Vice-Chair of the Communities Committee said, "I welcome the introduction of this important new Events Fund. Dumfries and Galloway is to host the UCI World Paracycling Championships in August of this year, and we want to support and nurture cycling events that are accessible and inclusive to all - this Fund will fully contribute to this aim."

The Summer of Cycling Events Fund is part-funded by South of Scotland Enterprise.

Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise said: "Excitement is growing ahead of a summer of cycling which will bring thousands of people to the region, and millions of TV global viewers through the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

"Its great to see this fund created in Dumfries & Galloway to give more people access to cycling. Initiatives such as this all help the aim of the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy to ensure our region becomes Scotland's leading cycling destination by 2032."

The Council announces £118,000 of Funding for 43 Festivals and Events Projects from the 2023/24 Events Strategy Budget

Dumfries and Galloway Council has announced its biggest ever programme of festivals and events grants.

An incredible forty three projects are being supported by the Local Authority, who together will share more than £118,000 of funding from the regional Events Strategy.

Ten major events projects, including a World Cup Gravel Cycling Event in Gatehouse of Fleet, Stranraer Oyster Festival and the Dumfries based Wild Goose Festival are to receive funding, and are sure to attract thousands of visitors to Dumfries and Galloway in 2023.

The Council received a record number of applications to its Community Events Fund 2023/24, and is providing grant support to 33 smaller scale festivals and events, that are to take place from Moffat to the Mull of Galloway, Penpont to Portpatrick this year.

The Council is also in the process of preparing the UK's first Greener Events Toolkit, to encourage festivals and events projects to be organised with fewer carbon impacts. The toolkit is intended to drive forward best practice in events planning in Dumfries and Galloway.

Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Chair of the Council's Communities Committee said, "The Council has hit the ground running with the implementation and delivery of the new regional Events Strategy. We have a terrific partnership with the region's events organisers, and the forty three grants we have signed off will be tremendous for community confidence and tourism in our region."

Councillor John Campbell, the Vice-Chair of the Communities Committee said, "The Council is determined to make Dumfries and Galloway the best place in rural Scotland in which to plan, manage, deliver and visit great festivals and events. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis, we are doing everything we possibly can to support our local economy and aid community wellbeing."

The full list of grants has been published on the Council's website.

View the 10 funded Major Events Fund grant supported projects [DOCX - 40KB]

View the 33 funded Community Events Fund grant supported projects [DOCX - 54KB]

The Community Events Toolkit and the Greener Events Toolkit

Dumfries & Galloway Council has updated its Events Toolkit in the light of the Coronavirus Pandemic to provide a practical, easy to use resource for Dumfries and Galloway's festivals and events organisers.  The new Community Events Toolkit includes template risk assessments that can be downloaded and amended for events projects such as Fun Runs and community concerts.  There is guidance on all aspects of events planning, including statutory responsibilities such as applying to the Council for licences when required and road or car park closures, and a host of helpful tips for your festivals and events project.

Download the Community Events Toolkit [PDF - 10MB]

Download Sample Risk Assessment - Fun Run [PDF - 90KB]

Download Sample Risk Assessment - Outdoor Concert [PDF - 87KB]

Event Budget Template [XLS - 49KB]

Dumfries and Galloway Council is the first local authority in the UK to commission a Greener Events Toolkit.  This Toolkit is currently in preparation and will replace the Community Events Toolkit in the Spring of 2023.  The new Toolkit will be uploaded here when it is complete.

Dumfries and Galloway Events and the Environment Charter

Dumfries and Galloway Council has worked with the UNESCO-designated Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere to produce an Events and the Environment Charter.  Our Council is requesting that all events organisations that secure funding from the Community Events Fund and Major Events Strategic Fund sign up to this Charter on a voluntary basis.  The Charter can be accessed here [PDF - 122KB] .

For any enquires regarding the two funding programmes, or the Events and the Environment Charter, or if you wish to arrange to speak to a Council Officer regarding a possible application, please email events@dumgal.gov.uk.

Come Organise Festivals and Events in Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway Council is committed to supporting the work of festivals and events organisers, already based in the region or keen to take forward projects here.  For more information contact events@dumgal.gov.uk.

The region has a competitive advantage in rural Scotland as a location to plan, manage and deliver great festivals and events.  There are many reasons for Dumfries and Galloway's position of competitive advantage regarding rural festivals and events, and these include but are not limited to:

• The availability of funding, which acts as a clear incentive, from the Council and other sources such as Community Benefit programmes, EventScotland and Trusts unique to our region such as the Holywood Trust and the Galloway Association of Glasgow
• The emergence of the themes towns e.g. Wigtown, Scotland's Book Town and Kirkcudbright artists' town, and the need for high quality festivals, events and exhibitions to drive forward this branding
• The vibrant voluntary sector and the high levels of social capital in our region
• Our towns and villages have strong senses of local identity, which manifests itself in festivals and events development
• The consecutive events strategies that have assisted the regional events sector
• The sector has a virtuous cycle of development, learning, peer support and expansion
• We have regional distinctiveness, in our heritage, landscape and geography which makes our events distinctive and stand out in a crowded national market
• A high percentage of creative people and early retired people capable of facilitating and managing events development
• Festivals and events in many locations have replaced traditional entertainment such as cinemas, which are rare in Dumfries and Galloway