We provide annual funding of £85,110 to local festival committees to assist with the running costs of traditional festivals in towns and villages across the Scottish Borders.
A standard annual support grant is provided to the main traditional festival in each town or village.
What can grants be claimed for?
Annual grants awarded to festival committees are principally to assist with the cost of:
- public liability insurance
- public protection/ health and safety measures (road closures, first aid, marshalling, stewarding)
The level of grant awarded is based on population levels and the requirement of horse cavalcades at festival activities.
The LFGS is reviewed on a three-yearly basis and grant levels are agreed by our Executive Committee. The latest review was agreed on 14 November 2023.
29 local festivals receive support.
Who can apply for a grant?
Contact the Communities and Partnerships Team for further information if your town/village:
- has a traditional annual festival which is not currently funded
- is in need of support
- has been running for a minimum of three years
Local Festival Grant Scheme Top-Up Fund
Local festival committees that are already eligible to claim funding support from the LFGS may also be eligible to apply to the LFGS Top-Up Fund. The £30k LFGS Top-Up Fund is available to festival committees that have a shortfall in funding for their insurance and public protection/ health and safety costs. It is also available to festival committees that wish to introduce additional public protection/ health and safety measures. Festivals can apply for up to 50% of their standard annual LFGS grant.
How to claim your grant(s)?
If you are a festival committee who receives a grant from the Local Festival Grant Scheme and would like to apply for funding this year, please email the Communities and Partnerships Team at
communitygrants@scotborders.gov.uk.
Community grants
The community grants team provide advice on funding to voluntary/community groups for the development of community projects
Address: