Cork County Council has announced that applications for funding are now being sought under the Community Tourism Initiative for the Diaspora.
The objectives of the initiative are:
• To provide support in the form of small-scale funding incentives to community-based tourism events that have the capacity to carry through on the legacy of The Gathering;
• To create a national network of local events with the capacity to deepen diaspora links and networks that were developed or re-activated during The Gathering year;
• To foster the growth of strong county diaspora networks on the basis that diaspora relationships are rooted in ‘people and place’.
The scheme began in 2014 and builds on the community involvement legacy of The Gathering (which took place in 2013) and is a joint partnership between Cork County Council, IPB Insurance and Fáilte Ireland.
Cork South West General Election Candidate Cllr Alan Coleman has welcomed the funding which will benefit festivals and tourism in West Cork
Welcoming this years funding announcement Cork South West General Election Candidate Cllr Alan Coleman said
“When I was Cork County Mayor in 2014/2015 I saw first hand the importance of various festivals and events across our wonderful County, I would encourage people, and groups to apply for this funding. The scheme provides a national fund of €1m to support local community-based events and festivals each year. “
Last year 22 local events were supported in Cork County attracting up to 1,500 visitors from overseas.
The West Cork festivals funded last year included:
• Eyeries Family Festival, Eyeries
• Chief O Neill Traditional Festival, Bantry
and elsewhere in County Cork the following were supported:-
• Passage West Maritime Heritage Festival, Passage West
• Kildorrery Community Festival, Kildorrery
• Irish Redhead Convention, Crosshaven
• Queen of the Sea Festival, Youghal
How to apply?
Administered locally by the Economic Development and Tourism Directorate of Cork County Council, the application process for 2016 is now open and will close on Friday March 11th 2016. Full details, including guidelines and application forms, are available on www.corkcoco.ie