Applications Open: Grants for Aberdeen City Events & Spectra 2025

A new grant scheme has launched to support businesses to host events in Aberdeen city centre that will contribute to vibrancy, enhance community spirit and support the local economy.

Applications are invited under the following criteria:

• For an award of £250, individual businesses organising an event for 10 attendees or more, additional to their regular daily offering or any regular events programming.
• For an award of £750, collectives of two or more businesses organising a free-to-attend community event, additional to their regular daily offering.

There is also a further offer of a one-time £500 grant, designed to encourage businesses to take part in the upcoming Spectra 2025 festival by “Spectrafying” their business. This is interpretive and Aberdeen city council are open to suggestions with this, however, interested businesses should consider light-based displays, decorations and adornments to their premises for the duration of the festival. The goal is to further enhance the vibrancy of the city during this period, as well as offer support to local businesses in taking part, potentially with extended opening hours during the festival, allowing businesses to take advantage of the increased footfall during this period.

Spectra, Scotland's Festival of Light, runs from Thursday 6 February to Sunday 9 February 2025 and will see Aberdeen city centre filled with artwork, light installations, projections and thousands of visitors. For more information please visit www.spectrafestival.com

Applications will be accepted until 28 February 2025 or until such time as funding has been fully allocated.