Community Festivals Fund

Speaking today, the Minister said: "I have decided that the CFF policy launched in February 2006 should continue for 2007, with some adjustments in light of experience this year.

The Fund has helped to build the capacity of community festivals, enabling organisations to celebrate their cultural identify and strengthen community relations. This year it has provided financial support to 42 festivals, helping existing festivals to grow and emerging festivals get off the ground. These were of a diverse nature and spread across Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) will continue to administer the fund in 2007/08. As last year, the fund will be split into three tranches, but instead of three equal allocations the funding will be targeted more towards the summer months when the majority of festivals take place.

Any transitional funding will be at a reduced level from last year to facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable model for all community festival funding.

The Minister said that overall there was a limited response to the consultation on the CFF policy.

The Minister continued: "I would wish to thank the staff of Northern Ireland Events Company for administrating year one of the CFF and for their important work in supporting these groups at grass roots level.

With respect to arrangements for 2008 and beyond and on the basis of devolution being restored in 2007, the Executive will wish to determine its approach to the CFF policy and administration.