What it is, grants available and who can apply to host an event.
The Bristol Community Festival is taking place 22 March 2025 to 5 April 2025 in community spaces across the city and will celebrate residents and voluntary organisations making a positive change in their communities.
What Bristol Community Festival is
Bristol City Council will be partnering with community groups and voluntary organisations to host events which will encourage those who took part in the Community Resilience Fund decision-making, social activists and residents of Bristol learn new skills, connect them to opportunities and get involved in community life.
These events will:
- celebrate the efforts of Bristol residents who are leading community activities and recognise the knowledge and experience of those who make these activities possible
- share stories of how citizens have successfully made their voices heard and influenced decisions in their community
- highlight lessons and best practices from projects that were created and carried out with community involvement
- connect people with opportunities to join together and make positive changes in their neighbourhoods
- inspire, teach, and connect individuals so they feel empowered to take action on issues that matter to them and set up a community group, join one, campaign for a cause or get involved in a neighbourhood group
We'll launch the programme of events after the grants application process is completed.
Hosting a self-funded event
If you're a voluntary organisation or resident-led group that doesn't need funding to organise an event, or are not based in a priority area, you can still apply to host an event as part of the festival.
We encourage all voluntary and community organisations, and resident-led groups from across the city to apply.
Our aim is to showcase and celebrate the fantastic work being done to bring communities together and make positive change to those living in all areas in Bristol.
You will not receive a grant, but your event will be included in the festival programme and associated marketing.
If you have an idea for an event that brings people together to make a positive change in their community, come along to one of our online information sessions. In the session you can find out more about the festival and how you can apply to host a self-funded event.
How to apply
To apply to host an event fill in the
pdf
Bristol Community Festival: event application form
(112 KB)
.
Or you can fill in the simplified application form:
pdf
Bristol Community Festival: event application form simplified
(922 KB)
.
Applications must be submitted by 9am Friday, 17 January 2025.
Grants available and who can apply
Grants for funded events are now closed.
Other ways to get involved in the festival
Anyone can get involved in the Bristol Community Festival by coming along to an event or by volunteering to help out.
Keep up to date with news and announcements.