CULTURE FUND CALL FOR PROP DOC 2018 - 2020

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
2018 – 2020

The Culture Fund 2018 – 2020 is being
funded by the Parliamentary Secretariat for
Local Government together with the Malta Tourism
Authority, with the support of Arts Council Malta,
Culture Directorate and Local Government
Division.
As part of the measures being undertaken by the Parliamentary
Secretariat for Local Government for the development of sustainable
localities, a fund of €750,000 is allocated to assist Local Authorities
(Regions, Local Councils and Administrative Committees) in their
programme of cultural events held between January 2018 and
December 2020.
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CULTURE FUND CALL FOR PROPOSALS
The three-year scheme will provide a stable support for Local Authorities to plan ahead,
grow and develop a programme of cultural events.
The general objectives of the scheme are:
1. To assist in the achievement of positive socio-economic impacts and promotion of
cultural initiatives;
2. To acknowledge and enhance the ways of life of different communities, promote cultural
diversity and integration, ensuring that projects are not in conflict with their localities’
geographical, social and cultural character;
3. To stimulate a collaborative approach between Local Authorities and other organisations,
both public and non-governmental, while encouraging synergies and the sharing of
expertise and resources.
4. Where possible to elaborate and enhance past cultural activities so as to ensure creativity
and innovation of ideas.
The national priorities that are being addressed through this Scheme are:
1. To develop the islands’ cultural programming on a local level, by way of projects that are
quality-driven, citizen-oriented, and regionally coordinated and promoted;
2. To tackle tourism seasonality by providing year-round interesting, participatory and
accessible cultural events targeting mostly off-peak or shoulder periods;
3. To acknowledge and promote awareness of the factors contributing to the evolving
identities of local communities;
4. To introduce a regional approach to cultural programming, maximising opportunities for
collaboration at civic society level and creating new assets and innovative approaches for
the social and cultural empowerment of communities;
5. To prioritise inclusivity, diversity and multiculturalism, including integration in cultural
programming at local level, by ensuring the widest possible engagement of audiences of
all ages and social backgrounds; and
6. To promote cultural diversity and inclusion: events can be specifically on this theme or
have this concept mainstreamed accordingly.
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FUNDING
The Local Government Division will be receiving applications from Culture, Regional
Coordinators. The fund will be covering financial years 2018, 2019 and 2020. 60%
pre-financing of the agreed grant for 2018 may be transferred at the start of 2018 following
signing of contract.
This fund may cover up to 100% of the total costs up to a maximum of EUR 45,000 (over 3
years). The Local Government Division will establish a three year financing programme for
beneficiaries following negotiations on the proposed budgetary plans. The Directorate for
Local Government reserves the right to award grants to beneficiaries based on a fixed
allocation every year or gradually increase or gradually decrease the awarded amount
without exceeding the maximum allocation of EUR 45,000 as agreed by both parties. The
amount to be awarded is at the discretion of the Local Government Division .
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
The Scheme is open for submissions through Regional Committees. Each application shall
contain a proposed programme of events organised by the Local Authorities represented in
the application and which fall within the remit of the applying Regional Committee, in terms
of the Eleventh Schedule of the Local Councils Act (Cap 363). In addition, for each activity,
applicants will be required to provide a 3-year plan indicating the event dates and how the
activity is envisaged to grow and/or improve progressively.
The Regional Committees’ role in this application is to ensure that the dates and timing of
proposed activities submitted by the Local Authorities falling under their remit, are evenly
distributed. This, so as to avoid, as much as possible, a conglomeration of activities in
individual Regions during one particular weekend. This planning would assist in ensuring
that activities held within the same Region, rather than competing with each other, act as an
organised chain of cultural events.
SELECTION CRITERIA
1. Relevance of the artistic programme proposed and aims of the strategy based on the
goals and actions mentioned above. (Marks: 40%)
2. Strategic plan.
Kindly attach a detailed strategic plan including the following points:
- Proposed cultural, artistic programme for the three years;
- Information about governance and management structure of the programme;
- Implementation timeline for deliverables and timeframes;
- Marketing and promotional plan of the programme (including evidence of market
research);
- Budget, financial plans (including potential sources of funding, funding partners and
stakeholders) and cash-flow statements demonstrating financial sustainability
- Monitoring and risk assessment plans for the proposed programme (Marks: 50%)
3. Clarity of presentation and application (Marks: 10%)
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CULTURE FUND CALL FOR PROPOSALS
SELECTION PROCESS
Eligible applications will be assessed by an Evaluation Committee made up of
representatives from the Local Government Division, Parliamentary Secretariat for Local
Government, Malta Tourism Authority, Culture Directorate and Arts Council Malta. Following
a pitching session for all applications, the evaluators will present an assessment on each of
the proposals indicating the relevant rating awarded. As specified above, each criterion is
allocated a number of specific marks.
PITCHING SESSION
The aim of the in -person pitching session is to create an opportunity for applicants to further
introduce the cultural/ artistic event to the evaluators. The applications will have already
been reviewed by the evaluators before the pitching session. The applicant (regional
coordinator) together with key members (1 from each respective applicant local authority)
should be present for the pitching session. During the session, the team should expand on
the already submitted plans with comments, latest insights and additions. There will be a
question and answer time with the evaluation panel at the end of the pitch. In this meeting
you will explain further the following points:
- How the event fits into the national priorities referred to above;
- Strategic plan presented in the application (including the budget and funding sources).
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CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
- The Evaluation Committee reserves the right not to consider the submitted proposal if it
does not match the priorities of this call for proposals.
- All information requested in this document must be provided. Any additional materials
are to be submitted together with this document.
- Application forms and all relevant supporting documents are to be submitted by not later
than the deadline indicated further on. Late applications will not be accepted.
The events proposed are to be held within the territory of the Region;
No events are to be proposed which relate to any religious functions or feasts, to the Locality
Day or during the parish’s events for the village feast;
This fund is not intended for tribute bands - neither is it intended for events related to the
establishment of records. Furthermore, any food stands set up in the event are to support
traditional local food;
Events are to be open to the general public at no entrance fees or donations. The events are
not intended to be fund-raising events;
Grant does not cover Marketing costs.
SUBMISSIONS
Submissions may be carried out by sending an email to the selection committee secretary Ms
Isabella Camilleri Aquilina Isabella.camilleri-aquilina@gov.mt till 12:00 (noon) of 28 July
2017. It is essential that in the same email you include all additional supporting documents
as required in this call for proposals. You should also include the signature (electronic
signature or scan) as indicated on the application form. Late applications will not be
accepted. All submissions are to be signed. By doing this, applicants are accepting the
conditions of the fund as explained in this document. Submissions which are not signed will
not be accepted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to present a complete submission as
explained in this call.
MANDATORY DOCUMENTATION
The application package should include the following:
- A copy of the submission signed by the legal representative/s of the organisation
- A detailed strategic plan
- Detailed income and expenditure budget covering 2018 – 2020
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CULTURE FUND CALL FOR PROPOSALS
IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING
Result notifications will be sent by the first week of October. If the application is approved
and funded, beneficiaries will be requested to sign a contract specifying the conditions of the
fund. The beneficiaries must use the fund’s logo on all related material and specify that the
project was funded by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Local Government together with the
Malta Tourism Authority, with the support of Arts Council Malta, Culture Directorate and
Local Government Division.
The grant received must be used solely for the purpose for which it was awarded, in line with
the submitted proposal and the contract. Beneficiaries must notify the selection committee
through the secretary immediately if changes affecting the nature of the project take place
during implementation. Changes cannot be implemented unless approval is received. The
Local Government Division reserves the right to revise or withhold the final payment if the
change in the project is not considered to be in line with the initial proposal, or if the
Directorate is not informed of the changes within a reasonable time. The Local Government
Division reserves the right to send representatives for monitoring purposes during the funded
years. During these on site spot checks photographic evidence may be taken and interviews
carried out. In addition successful applicants are to participate as necessary in the promotion
of the fund through exposure of their success story as deemed appropriate by the Local
Government Division. All beneficiaries will be required to submit regular reports providing
general or specific updates, as required. The Local Government Division reserves the right to
revise the payment procedures and overall budgeting if there are changes in the allocation
by the central.
CLARIFICATIONS AND
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Any request for clarifications are to be sent by email to the committee secretary
Ms Isabella Camilleri Aquilina on Isabella.camilleri-aquilina@gov.mt
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