Event Partnership Program 2027

Event Partnership Guidelines

To be eligible for the Event Partnership Program (EPP), the event must: 

• Be free to attend or have significant free programming with a minimum attendance of 5,000 to the free programming. ​ 

• Start between 1 January and 31 December 2027.  

• Demonstrate that a minimum of 30% of the event’s costs will be self-funded or confirmed to come from other income streams. 

• Have a valid Certificate of Currency for public liability insurance of $20 million. 

• Be presented by a legal entity with an ABN, that is not an individual or sole trader. 

• Occur within the City of Melbourne municipality.    

Applications will be ineligible if any of the following apply:​  

• The event is an industry or business event, trade and consumer show, for example exhibitions, conferences, tradeshows, congresses, symposiums etc.​

• The event is a PR opportunity, award ceremony, commercial theatre production or recurring market.  

• The event is a teaching program, lecture or university open day.​ 

• The event has an adverse effect on public health, safety, the environment or heritage.​

• The event will not comply with anti-discrimination / anti-vilification legislation and / or are incompatible with Council’s policies, priorities or values. Council’s priorities include those set out in the Inclusive Melbourne Action Plan 2024-26 (IMAP).   

• The event sells or promotes unethically sourced animal products, exploit or use animals in harmful ways, for example, through exhibition or use in performances. 

• The event (including components thereof) receives funding from another City of Melbourne program. 

• Organisations that have an outstanding debt to City of Melbourne or that have failed to comply with the terms and conditions of any previous funding agreement or is in a legal conflict with City of Melbourne. 

• The applicant undertakes canvassing or lobbying of Elected Members and / or employees of City of Melbourne in relation to the sponsorship request during the application and assessment period.​ 

• The applicant conducts or has conducted themselves in a way that is considered to be injurious or prejudicial to the character or interests of City of Melbourne. 

• The applicant is requesting funds for debt reduction or operational deficits.  

• The applicant is requesting sponsorship for reimbursement of funds already spent.  

• The applicant is a Commonwealth or State Government Department, City of Melbourne employee or elected member of Council​, or their immediate family. This does not include organisations they may be part of.  

• The applicant is a political party or considers the primary purpose of the event to be political. 

Ineligible applications will not advance to the assessment stage and applicants will be notified once final recommendations have been endorsed by Council.

If you wish to speak with us directly regarding the eligibility of your event, please contact us via email at eventsponsorship@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

City of Melbourne offers a wide range of grants and sponsorships to individuals, community organisations and businesses in the arts, recreation, events and business sectors. 
We recommend checking the Grants and Sponsorships webpage for any opportunities that may be suitable.