Experience Development Programme (Audio Equipment) 2020-21

Since the launch of the brand, Tourism NI has extended an open invitation to the industry to work with us to develop brand aligned EaGS experiences. Operators who have responded to this opportunity are put through a formal 5-stage process to align the content of the experience with the needs of the brand, to identify areas where business support may be required to ensure that the business is viable and to ensure that the experiences aredelivered to a world-class standard.

This programme is only open to existing tourism businesses operating in NI who have engaged in this processand have progressed to stages 3, 4 or 5 of the EaGS experience development process, i.e. those businesses whose experience is fully formed and at the stage of receiving business support from Tourism NI. (For more information refer to Annex 1 on page 7 of the scheme guidelines).

Other minimum eligibiltiy criteria:

• Match-funding – You must be in a position to confirm the match funding (20%).
• Deliverability – You must demonstrate that you will be able to incur the expenditure by 31 March 2021.
• Applicants will be required to demonstrate that they have already procured three quotes for the expenditure to demonstrate best value for money.

This is a capital funding programme and as such the investment (eligible costs) must result in the delivery of a new or enhanced asset which can demonstrate an ability to deliver on the programme aim and outcomes. While not an exhaustive list, examples of the type of expenditure which may be supported include:

• Individual headsets for each visitor connected to a main voice amplifier for the guide/operator.
• Voice projecting equipment.
• All-weather individual headset and microphone systems.
• Individual audio headsets with functions to support multi-lingual delivery of experiences.

The following costs are not eligible for financial assistance:

• Recoverable VAT.
• Contracts that have already been entered into prior to signing our Letter of Offer unless otherwise approved by Tourism NI.
• In-kind support.
• Non-capital costs, e.g. marketing, accreditation schemes, support and maintenance or other running costs.

This is an online application process, when the scheme is open you will be able to apply below.

The programme will open at 3pm on Friday 5th February 2021 and close at 3pm on Wednesday 24th February.

Please note, if you have previously used Tourism NI’s online financial assistance portal, you should use your existing username and password to apply. If you are a new user, please register to gain access to the form.

Applicants should note that the granting of access to the application form does not confirm final eligibility or receipt of financial assistance on an applicant. Depending on the information provided in the application form, an applicant may be deemed ineligible for support later in the process

For more information please refer to the scheme guidelines below.

Only applications submitted online to Tourism NI can be accepted. The closing date for applications is 3pm on Wednesday 24th February, applications cannot be submitted after this time.

Once your application has been received, it will be assessed against the below criteria on a pass/fail basis:

• Assessment of need – The application should outline the need for the investment and how it will enhance the EaGS experience.
• Match-funding – Applicants will also be required to confirm that match funding is in place.
• Deliverability – Applicants will be required to confirm that the project is deliverable by 31st March 2021.

Applicants will be required to include the total cost and amount of grant sought based on the best value for money option.

Successful applicants will be required to sign a Letter of Offer. Contractual conditions within this letter will include a requirement for applicants to be registered, or commit to apply for registration to the UK wide standard “We’re Good To Go”.

Once you have signed your Letter of Offer, you can then begin to implement your project.

Expenditure must be incurred by 31st March 2021 to allow drawdown of the grant.

Following project implementation, Tourism NI will contact you to get feedback on the impact that the project has had on your experience.

Grant payments can only be made retrospectively, and will be based on eligible expenditure actually incurred and paid.

Supporting documentation will be required in the form of invoices, bank statements, etc.

You will be required at the time of grant claim to certify that the project has not applied for, nor is in receipt of additional grant aid from any other source in relation to the proposed investment herein.

Details of the grant claiming process will be provided within the Letter of Offer that successful applicants will receive.

Appeals Procedure
An appeals procedure is in place for those applicants who deem the process of assessing their project has been conducted unsatisfactorily. Further detail on the appeals procedure is available on request.

Procurement
You will be required to adhere to Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy. It is essential that you seek advice on this procurement process at the time of application. Failure to adhere to it can result in expenditure being considered ineligible for financial assistance. Detailed information on the public procurement process and the procurement thresholds can be found on the CPD website.

Equality Statement
Tourism NI is committed to the fulfilment of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998) in both the promotion ofequality and of good relations through our overall thinking and decision-making processes. Obligations under this Act will be included in any Letter of Offer issued.

FOI and Data Protection
We are committed to being open about the way we will use information that you give us as part of your application. By submitting the declaration form to validate the application form, applicants are confirming that they understand our obligation to comply with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Projection Act 1998.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
By applying for funding, Tourism NI takes care that it respects the rights and freedoms of all those involved. How we handle any personal information we receive in respect to those rights and freedoms is described in our privacy policy. New applicants will be asked to accept the policy before proceeding to the online application form.