Applications are now closed
The Event Partnership Program is focused on ensuring Melbourne is recognised as Australia’s events capital. Its aim is to improve public perception and enjoyment, help stage events throughout the city and enhance the quality and variety of events hosted here.
The program is conducted on an annual basis, has two funding rounds a year and is available to events or festivals that will contribute to the city’s vibrancy.
Applicants can only apply for funding once per event per year and funding can be cash and/or in-kind through the Event Partnership Program.
Council typically receives more funding applications than it can support. The success of an application is determined by its merits against the evaluation criteria and in competition with other submissions.
Key dates
| Round |
Open date |
Closing date |
Notification |
Comments |
| Round one |
Monday 13 February 2012 |
Tuesday 13 March 2012 |
Mid-July 2012 |
For events undertaken from 15 July 2012 and completed by 30 June 2013. |
| Round two |
Monday 16 July 2012 |
Monday 13 August 2012 |
End of November 2012 |
For events undertaken between 15 December 2012 and completed by 30 June 2013. It is recommended that events scheduled in July 2013 apply in this round. |
Event Partnership Program in-kind sponsorship
In-kind relates to the hire of City of Melbourne-managed outdoor public space only. A list of public spaces managed by City of Melbourne can be found at event fees.
The in-kind support cannot include any costs associated with the following:
- park reinstatement fees incurred as a result of your event
- banner-related costs
- marketing
- TSA’s
- Town Hall Hire or any other City of Melbourne owned indooor venue
- POPE (Place of Public Entertainment Building Regulation Permit) and/ or
- planning, Food/ Health, Handbill or Temporary Trading Permits.
Note that all event permitting requirements must be met at least six weeks out from the scheduled event date. Failure to do this may result in sponsorship funding being witheld or only partially paid.
As a pre-requisite, applicants must contact the Strategic Planning and Logistics Team on (03) 9658 8008 or eventoperationsteam@melbourne.vic.gov.au to ensure the in-kind amount is accurately reflected.
As a pre-requisite, applicants seeking to hire Waterfront City Marina for an event must contact City of Melbourne's Waterways Unit on (03) 9658 8738 or berthing@melbourne.vic.gov.au to ensure the correct in-kind amount is reflected.
To determine whether an application is successful in securing in-kind sponsorship, an assessment will be made against the key evaluation criteria and if successful in-kind funding may be awarded in full or in part. In-kind is not guaranteed and may not be awarded.
Round two 2011–12 successful Event Partnership Program recipients
View 2011–12 Event Partnership Program recipients approved for funding.
How to apply
Applications are now closed.