How will your application be assessed?

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All applications will be checked to make sure they meet the eligibility requirements. This is called an eligibility assessment.

For more details on funding stream eligibility see information on:

  1. Small stream (up to $5000)
  2. Medium stream ($5,001 to $15,000)
  3. Large stream ($15,001 and over)

Small stream applications only go through an eligibility assessment.

Only medium and large stream applications that pass the eligibility check will move to the next stage, called a merit assessment. A merit assessment looks at the quality, impact and community benefit of your event.

If a medium or large stream application does not meet a specific merit criterion (such as priority group engagement or demonstrated capacity) it will receive no score for that criterion.

Merit assessment criteria (medium and large stream only)

Assessment criteriaCriteria guidanceWeighting
How your event supports the program objectives

To have the best chance of being funded, your application must show how your event supports the two objectives of the program.

Program objective 1: to help Victorians celebrate and preserve cultures, and share traditions

We look at how well your event:

  • celebrates or shares culture, including traditions, stories or practices
  • helps keep cultural knowledge alive
  • supports something important to your community, such as a cultural holiday, an anniversary or a special community milestone.

Program objective 2: to encourage all Victorians to take part in cultural events and develop understanding and respect for different cultures

We look at how well your event:

  • welcomes people from outside your community
  • gives people opportunities to learn about your culture
  • is promoted to the wider public, not just your own community
  • includes activities that invite people to take part, not only watch.
40%
Budget

Your budget needs to show that the event offers good value for money. The costs you list must be accurate, reasonable, and clearly linked to running your event.

You must:

  • list all costs for your event
  • clearly show how you will spend the MFE Program grant money
  • include quotes for any item that costs $10,000 or more if you want to use MFE Program funds for it.

Additional requirements for the large stream only:

If you are applying for the large stream, you must also:

  • attach a Total Event Budget using the MFE template. This must list all your costs and all your income sources.
25%
Your experience and skills to run the event

Your application must show that your organisation can successfully plan and deliver the festival or event.

You must attach your project plan using the MFE template with your application.

We look at the following:

Your project plan:

You must include a clear project plan (using the MFE template). The plan should show:

  • what tasks will be done
  • who will do them
  • when they will happen
  • what you will do before, during and after the event
  • Your experience or resources:

You need to show that your organisation has the skills, experience or resources to run the event well. You can do this by including:

  • details of a previous event your organisation has run with similar attendance numbers, or
  • evidence that you have the people, equipment or knowledge needed to deliver this event.

Organisations are encouraged to include a list of past events and the resources they already have. Providing this will help increase the criteria score.

20%
Engagement with priority groups

Your applications must show whether your event will mainly involve or support one of the priority groups listed below:

  • new and emerging priority communities. You must select the priority community your organisation belongs to from the list provided in the application form
  • rural and regional communities
  • women
  • young people
  • LGBTIQA+ communities.

To receive a score for this criterion, explain:

  • which priority group the event focuses on, and
  • how the event will involve or support them.

For example:

  • the planning committee is led by women
  • the event takes place in rural and regional Victoria, so rural and regional communities are the main audience
  • activities are designed for young people
  • performers or speakers are from a community in the new and emerging priority communities list.
15%

Updated

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