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Community groups and local organisations can now apply for support to help run projects as part of
Sefton’s Borough of Culture year.

The Borough of Culture initiative is part of the Metro Mayor’s Culture programme which saw
Liverpool City Region become the first in the country to commit to spending the equivalent of 1% of
its annual £30 million devolution funding from government to stimulate cultural and creative
activities.

Groups can now express interest in securing support from Sefton Council with their proposals. This
may include bidding for money to help them organize events throughout 2020 with two different tiers
of funding available – up to £5K and £5k-£15K.

It may also include support with such areas as event management, communications and marketing, or connections with other partner organisations.

Forms are available to download at www.sefton.gov.uk/sefton2020 and once completed, will be
reviewed and if support is allocated, groups will be notified within 4 weeks for non-financial support
and for support up to £5K and 10 weeks for £5K-£15K applications.

The Borough of Culture (BoC) title is awarded by the Liverpool City Region’s Combined Authority to
one of its six local authorities (Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral) on a
rotating, annual basis.

2019 was Wirral’s year while 2020 will be dedicated to Sefton with a raft of new, existing and
community led events planned for the year.

The focus of Sefton’s year will be on stories, looking at two key elements, local history and the
environment.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member Communities and Housing, and lead sponsor for the Borough of
Culture Year, is asking community groups to really consider applying for funding.

She said: “While we are looking at organising some spectacular larger scale events as part of our
Borough of Culture Year, the foundation of our year will be the smaller events organised by our
valued communities.

“This is where this support and the funding pot comes in really helpful as it can enable more
localised community groups and organisations to give them a boost in arranging something to
celebrate Borough of Culture.

“2020 and the Borough of Culture will be all about engaging with our communities and making sure
as many people as possible get involved and embrace all cultural elements our wonderful borough has to offer.

“If you are group and are thinking of running something during 2020, please get in touch, download
the form and tell us your plans! This way we can make sure our year of events appeals to everyone
right across Sefton.”

For more information and to download the forms, visit sefton.gov.uk/sefton2020 or email
BOC2020@sefton.gov.uk.