Event subsidy

The municipality can provide a grant to an organization that wishes to organize an event. We have a fixed annual budget for this purpose.

Heerlen has four types of events. Each category has its own Requirements a maximum grant amount:

• Standard: small to medium-sized events with a local focus, up to €2,000.
• Exceptional: Larger events with greater reach and visibility, up to €10,000.
• Distinctive: major events with a clear regional focus, up to €40,000.
• High-profile: very large events with a supraregional impact, up to €220,000.

If this is your first time applying for a grant for an event, the grant amount will not exceed €10,000.

• Your event is in Heerlen.
• Your event aligns with the municipality’s goals, themes, and plans.
• Your organization is a legal entity (such as a foundation or association).
• Your organization is not making a profit.
• Your organization has been in existence for at least 1 year.
• You have a permit for the event. Or, the permit application is pending, but you have already registered the event, and the date and location are listed in the event calendar. If you have any questions about this, please contact evenementen@heerlen.nl.

Common event:

• You have experience organizing events, supervising volunteers, and managing funds.
• You must cover at least 50% of the event's costs (excluding VAT) yourself. Alternatively, you can obtain this funding from others, such as sponsors, grants, or attendees. 
• Your event has at least 500 attendees.

Special Event:

• You have experience organizing events, creating and publicizing a program, supervising volunteers, managing finances, seeking sponsors, and ensuring safety.
• You pay at least 60% of the costs (excluding VAT) yourself. Or you receive this money from others, such as sponsors, foundations, or visitors. 
• Your event has at least 2,000 attendees.
• There is coverage in local media (regional coverage is a plus).

A unique event:

• You have experience organizing events, creating and publicizing the program, supervising volunteers, managing finances, seeking sponsors, and ensuring safety.
• You pay at least 60% of the costs (excluding VAT) yourself. Or you receive this money from others, such as sponsors, foundations, or visitors.
• The event attracts at least 10,000 visitors.
• There is coverage in regional media (national coverage is a plus).

Landmark event:

• You have extensive experience organizing events, creating and publicizing the program, supervising volunteers, managing finances, seeking sponsors, fundraising, and ensuring safety.
• You pay at least 70% of the costs (excluding VAT) yourself. Or you receive this money from others, such as sponsors, foundations, or visitors. 
• Your event has at least 30,000 visitors.
• At least 25% of visitors come from outside Parkstad.
• The story is receiving coverage in both regional and national media.

The municipality will make a decision within 12 weeks.