Gives 300 million to large open events

Press release | Date: 10.11.2020

The government proposes to provide NOK 300 million so that activity in the event industry can be resumed as soon as the contagion situation allows. The allocation can be increased if necessary.

The government announced earlier this autumn that a support scheme will be established for large events open to the public, including food and agricultural festivals, which have been canceled due to infection control measures. The government is now presenting further details about the scheme. 

-The event industry has been hit hard by the corona pandemic, and strict infection control measures have made it impossible to carry out the largest events. Events and fairs that bring together the largest crowds have significant ripple effects on society and business. I hope this scheme will stimulate that as many of these events as possible are implemented as soon as the situation allows, says Minister of Trade and Industry Iselin Nybø.

Covers 60 percent of actual deficits related to the event

To ensure that the scheme provides sufficient support for the actors to continue planning future events, the government proposes to cover accrued costs related to the event, including salary costs. The scheme will cover 60 percent of the actual deficit per event. The support will be paid as a grant, where 20 percent of the grant is given on condition that the organizer holds a similar event in the future. It is planned that the payments will take place as soon as possible in the first quarter of 2021. The Ministry of Trade and Industry, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, will prepare more detailed guidelines for the scheme.

Food festivals and agricultural fairs

-Today we have a completely different range of foods in Norway than we had a couple of decades ago. Norwegian consumers can choose from a variety of products with a local character. Large and small food and beverage festivals across the country have been an important driver in the development of Norway as an exciting food nation. Unfortunately, the corona has also affected the food festivals and many have suffered heavy losses in connection with canceled or greatly reduced events. I am glad that we have now put in place a scheme that also takes into account festivals that have been held in a reduced format, so that these also have an opportunity to re-arrange when the infection situation allows it, says Minister of Agriculture and Food Olaug Bollestad .

Facts about the scheme:

• The scheme applies to events that should have been held in the period 5 March - 31 December 2020, and which have been canceled as a result of government orders in connection with. Covid 19.
• The scheme is limited to public events of national or regional value, with an expected number of visitors of at least 500 participants.
• The target group is organizers and co-organizers, ie the company (ies) that is the legal owner of the event and / or has the main responsibility for the implementation of the event.
• It is proposed to allocate NOK 300 million to the scheme. If necessary, the allocation will be increased.
• The scheme will cover 60 percent of the actual deficit related to the event. The support is paid as a grant, where 20 percent. of the grant is given on condition that a similar event is held in the future.
• Innovation Norway will manage the scheme, which will be application-based. Payment of grants will take place in the first quarter of 2021.
• The scheme must be determined within the framework of the EEA Agreement's state aid rules and approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA).

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Ministry of Agriculture and Food

THEME

• The corona situation
• Business

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