InformationEast Devon Festival Fund

The East Devon Festival Fund (EDFF) is a pilot grant scheme designed to help established festivals in East Devon attract visitors from outside the district through marketing and promotional activity for festivals in 2026/2027.

The fund supports the delivery of the East Devon Tourism and Cultural Strategies, and aims to help festivals grow audiences, attract more tourists, increase visitor spend, and enhance East Devon’s reputation as a vibrant cultural destination. 

The Fund is open for applications until 5 pm on Thursday, 30 April 2026.

Please read the East Devon Festival Fund Policy for the full details and eligibility criteria for the scheme. 

What the Fund Supports

Grants can only be used for new or additional marketing and promotional activity that targets audiences outside East Devon.

Eligible costs may include:

• Digital marketing and paid online promotion
• Design, production and distribution of marketing materials
• Photography, videography and content creation
• Press, PR and media advertising
• Audience research and visitor insight
• Partnership marketing with tourism or business organisations

All activity must clearly demonstrate how it will attract visitors from outside the district.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must:

• Be a constituted organisation, charity, CIC, social enterprise, community group or limited company
• Be based in, or delivering activity within, East Devon
• Have a business bank account and public liability insurance of at least £5 million
• Demonstrate the capacity to safely deliver the festival

Eligible Festivals

Festivals must:

• Be an established festival with at least one previous edition
• Take place in East Devon
• Be open to the general public (either free or ticketed entry)
• Have a clear theme and coordinated programme of multiple activities
• Take place within a defined time period
• Demonstrate visitor attraction potential and wider economic, cultural and community benefit

Regular markets, trade fairs, private events or standalone one-off events are not eligible.

Grant Amounts

• Grants from £500 to £2,000 per festival
• Total fund allocation: £10,000
• VAT cannot be funded

 Application Process

• Applications must be submitted using the official application form
• Supporting documents are required, including marketing plan 
• The fund closes on 30 April 2026 at 5pm.
• To apply for the Fund, please complete the Festival Fund Application Form and email it to aced@eastdevon.gov.uk

How Applications Are Assessed

Eligible applications will be scored on:

• Visitor impact
• Strength of marketing proposal
• Cultural and creative value
• Priority (including shoulder-season timing and town-centre locations)
• Deliverability and experience
• Value for money

Need Help?

If you are unsure whether your festival is eligible, contact the team at
aced@eastdevon.gov.uk