Micro & Very Small Festivals Development Programme
Association of Independent Festivals

Very Small Festivals are at the sharpest end of the grassroots festival sector. They may be small in size, but they are strong in number - with 200-300 taking place every year. The Micro Festivals Development Programme supports grassroots festival organisers across the UK. It is designed to help micro and small festivals build sustainable success.

What’s Included?

EXPERTISE: Access to online learning and industry insights via exclusive podcast content and dedicated resources.

SUPPORT: Opportunities for remote 1-to-1 mentoring and small-group sessions on unique topics impacting micro and small festivals with industry professionals. 

NETWORKING: Access to the 2026 project cohort and potential to engage with the wider AIF network of 150+ leading festivals in the UK.

Who is it for?

UK-based festivals (all four nations) with a capacity of 2,000 or under that are actively pursuing sustainable success for their current or future events, if that is you, apply here

Independent Promoters Grassroots Bursary Scheme
Association of Independent Promoters

Grassroots promoters play a vital role in sustaining local music ecosystems. Rising costs and the current economic climate make it difficult for promoters to take risks on new and upcoming artists - an integral part of the talent pipeline.

With targeted micro-grants and wrap-around professional support, the Independent Promoters Grassroots Bursary Scheme will empower new and emerging promoters to deliver events that would typically be deemed to carry too much risk. Working across all UK regions, the programme will strengthen the live music pipeline, and increase diversity, accessibility, and innovation in promoting.

UK Artists Touring Fund
Featured Artists Coalition, Musicians Union, Music Managers Forum

Touring costs have spiralled exponentially in recent years, meaning more artists are faced with either losing money when they tour or being unable to tour at all. This is evidenced by the declining number of dates and locations on artists’ UK tour schedules. The issue is compounded at the emerging and mid-tier level of the live sector, by increasing availability of large-scale shows carrying large ticket prices. As the upper end booms, smaller events are suffering in the face of the cost-of-living crisis, which impacts audiences’ choices on how they spend their limited disposable income.

The programme will support UK artists to build sustainable careers and develop new audiences. By providing audiences with access to new music closer to where they are and, in many cases, access to artists that might not have been able to perform live at all, the UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT) can help revitalise audiences’ connection with new, live music whilst enabling a new diverse generation of UK talent, both on and off the stage. 

We will see more availability of live music for more people in more parts of the country. UKAT will provide tour support to artists, to help make live shows and touring financially viable and inclusive. While the main direct ‘beneficiaries’ will be artists, facilitating artists’ live activity will stimulate all parts of the grassroots sector, from the workforce and services that artists pay, to the venues, promoters and festivals they work with.

Music Venue Support
Music Venue Trust

More than half of the UK’s grassroots music venues showed no profit at all in 2025, with changes to national insurance and business rates resulting in a loss of 6000 jobs. The majority of grassroots music venues are now one financial shock away from crisis, while the national touring circuit continues to contract. Over the past year alone, 30 venues permanently closed, and 175 UK towns & cities, home to an estimated 25 million people, no longer receive regular touring shows by professional artists.

Investing support across Music Venue Trust’s programming, means investing in immediate, high-impact interventions that stabilise the grassroots music venues, prevent closures, reduce urgent financial pressures, and lay the groundwork for longer-term recovery. 

LIVE Trust funding will support:

• Venue Support Team and Emergency Response Hardship Fund - supporting venues in crisis
• Venue MOT programme - supporting management and efficiency
• Off the Grid - working to eliminate energy bills for venues
• Raise the Standard - improving performance facilities across sound, lighting and backline
• Stay the Night - investing in artist accommodation and reducing touring costs
• Liveline - investing in touring to improve access to live music, especially in areas left behind.

Volume Control Enhanced
Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast

Pathways into the music and live events industry in Northern Ireland are limited, particularly for young people. Many aspiring artists, promoters and backstage professionals struggle to access practical experience, industry knowledge, and safe spaces where they can learn how live music eco-systems function. This lack of early opportunity contributes to talent loss, underdeveloped audiences, and fragility within the grassroots sector. At the same time, audiences for new and emerging music need to be actively developed. Small venues depend on future generations of gig-goers, yet there are very few structured opportunities for under-18s to engage meaningfully with live music beyond being passive consumers. Without access to age-appropriate spaces to attend, programme, and deliver gigs, young people are excluded from shaping the live music culture of their own city.

Volume Control is an existing project that works to sustain, enhance and help us reach more young people. This investment will strengthen and future-proof Belfast’s grassroots live music scene by developing young people as artists, audiences, and industry professionals. The programme will educate, inspire, and support participants to understand how live music ecosystems work, while gaining practical experience in event delivery, venue operations, promotion, and artist support

Music Futures
Production Futures

There are over 1 million young people currently not in education, employment, or training, with little to no access to career support and live music industry pathways.

This initiative will include a nationwide MAKE NOISE competition to win tech kits for schools and youth groups and to spark interest and visibility in production career opportunities. Bringing young people together at Production Futures regional careers fairs, the full programme will build music production skills and knowledge as well as networks and vital industry connections. Working with secondary school-aged individuals, home-educated families, and those not currently in education, employment, or training, the programme will provide practical experience and career exploration opportunities, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all participants.

Developing Scotland's Emerging Live Sector
Wide Events, Scotland

Developing Scotland's Emerging Live Sector programme aims to empower aspiring artists, promoters, and event professionals, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to build sustainable careers. With a focus on practical knowledge, essential skills and developing peer-to-peer connections, it is designed to increase the likelihood of participants establishing and sustaining a career.

Through the Off The Record Showcase, artists are provided with a professional performance platform, giving them vital stage experience, exposure to new audiences, and engagement with industry peers. Mentoring from established practitioners will offer tailored guidance, insight, and industry connections, and will support artistic and professional growth. Through Wide Days, six bursaries will be provided for early-career agents or bookers from town or rural venues across Scotland. This includes programmed meetings with Scottish and international live professionals, to build networks, share knowledge, and foster collaboration.

LOOKING FOR FUNDING?

At the moment we are running ‘Phase One’ of our funding strategy, getting money out quickly to organisations that are currently operating and running programmes that protect, expand and support the grassroots sector, this first phase is invitation only. 

We’ll be running ‘Phase Two’ of funding, from spring 2026. You can sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about it.