Expectations of funded festivals and events

Events funded by this program must be respectful and open to all Victorians.

Acknowledgement of Country or a Welcome to Country

We encourage events to include an Acknowledgement of Country or a Welcome to Country. An Acknowledgement of Country recognises that Victoria has a strong and proud Aboriginal history and pays respect to the Traditional Owners.

For more information, visit Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners.

Accessibility

Your organisation must make sure the event can be enjoyed by everyone, including people with disability. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Easy physical access – Choose a venue that people can move around safely and easily. For example, entrances, paths, and toilets should be accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility needs.
  • Cultural and language inclusion – Think about language needs and cultural sensitivities so all Victorians feel welcome. This could include using clear, simple promotional materials, offering interpreters, or providing bilingual signs.
  • Financial accessibility – Events must be free so everyone has an equal opportunity to attend.

Environmental impact

Your organisation must take steps to reduce harm to the environment. This includes:

  • making the event more environmentally friendly
  • managing waste responsibly. For example:
    • advertising online instead of printing lots of paper
    • avoiding single-use plastics.

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