Culture Celebrations Fund 2026/27 - join the panel

Southwark Council is seeking community-minded individuals to support our decision making for the Cultural Celebrations Fund (CCF) nominations, 2026 to 2027.

The CCF supports free outdoor events to connect and unite Southwark's many communities. Further information about the fund can be found here.

More than 60 events and festivals have been supported since the Cultural Celebrations Fund was established in 2021. Up to £95,000 will be available to support events from 1 April 2026 to 21 March 2027 – applicants can apply for a 'small' grant of up to £4,000 or a 'large' grant of up to £10,000.

We are looking for up to three residents to join the review panel to support the council in ensuring a diverse and balanced selection process. As a panel member you will be joined by council officers with support from the Events team. We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds – you might have previous event delivery experience, be engaged in events in your local area or have a background in the community or culture sector.

Below is the schedule of Culture Celebration Fund 2026/27 activities. To be considered, you must be available for all required dates:

Between 1 and 12 November, there will be a panel members briefing meeting with the date to be confirmed, lasting approximately one hour. Panel member attendance is required.

The deadline for Culture Celebrations Fund applications is 12 November at 12pm.

From 12 to 21 November 2025, eligibility checks and panel initial scoring will take place. This will require 2 to 3 days' work to review applications in preparation for a scoring meeting on or close to 21 November, which will take up to half a day. The date of the group panel meeting is to be confirmed, and panel member attendance is required.

On 8 December, there will be a panel meeting to confirm recommendations. Panel members are required to attend for approximately 2 to 3 hours.

You will receive £750 in recognition of your contribution, which will be paid after the second panel meeting on 8 December. 

To express an interest and complete the equalities monitoring form, click the green button at the top of this page, summarising (in up to 250 words)

1. Your connection to Southwark and what the borough means to you. 
2. Why you would like to be part of this process and what you will bring to it. 

OR record your responses (a phone video is fine).  

Please send these to events@southwark.gov.uk by Wednesday 22 October to be considered.  

We will notify the person selected by October 29th 2025.

Please also specify whether you’d like to be added to our pool of decision-makers for the future.