People with great ideas for community events are invited to apply to the Tauranga City Council for the funding to make it happen.

Community organisations have until June 11 to apply for up to $15,000 from Tauranga City Council's Community Events Fund.

Last year's round resulted in 14 events focusing on community and seasonality. The fund helped to get events such as Night Owl Cinema around the city's parks, Tye Park Fun Day, Much Ado About Nothing at The Historic Village and Tauranga Moana Ra Whakangahau Festival off the ground, where young and old, residents and visitors, families and friends enjoyed the variety of entertainment.

Community groups can apply for grants of up to $3000 and up to $15,000 for events that focus on social good, community spirit and enhance liveability in Tauranga.

'There is a demand from our community for a humming city, especially in the off-season and Tauranga City Council is committed to support a vibrant events environment. The Community Event Fund is an annual fund of $50,000 and has been established to assist with this,” says Mayor Greg Brownless.

The Community Events Fund aims to support events that connect Tauranga's communities, celebrate the city's diversity and use the city's beautiful places and spaces, says Greg.

Youth-focused events that address seasonality and a broad range of locations are key factors that will be addressed through this year's fund, says Event Design and Delivery Manager at Tauranga City Council Michaela Blackman.

'The variety of events supported by the fund play an important role in bringing communities together and new inspiration and fresh vibes to the city, while showcasing everything Tauranga has to offer,” says Michaela.

'Our updated criteria and eligibility attracted a broad range of events last year and we are looking forward to building on that for this year's round.

'The 2017/18 Community Event Fund is focused on events addressing seasonality and we are particularly looking for events which occur from July to October 2017 and April to June 2018, and make use of the whole city.

'If you have an amazing community event in mind and need the financial backing to get it up and running, go to Tauranga City Council's Community Event Fund webpage, make sure that you've got everything ready and that you're eligible, and off you go.”

For more information and application forms, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/eventfund or call Michaela Blackman on 577 7000.

Applications close on Sunday, June 11, at 5pm.

Last year's funded events:

• Pedal Papamoa – promoting healthy living for all the family while showcasing the beautiful storm-water trail
• Mount Mainstreet Busking Festival – celebrating 20 years of this wonderful festival
• NZ Mountain Film Festival – selection of adventure-based films from around New Zealand and across the world
• WBOP Emergency Services Open Day – a free family event to celebrate our emergency services and to raise awareness of family violence
• Tye Park Fun Day – a community day in Welcome Bay with music, food and games
• Much Ado About Nothing – an outdoor Shakespeare theatre production to be held at the Historic Village
• Papa Moa's Teddy Bear Picnic – fun and frolicking for small children and all their teds
• New Beginnings Matariki Festival – a whanau day to remember those who have past and to celebrate new beginnings
• The Winter Social – a mid-winter ball showcasing local and national music acts
• Vegan Vibes – a vegan food festival which includes workshops, products, music and entertainment
• Tauranga Moana Ra Whakangahau Festival – 40 schools coming together to participate and perform in this Kapahaka Festival to be held at St Mary's School
• NZ Medieval Faire – a re-enactment event that transports visitors to the distant past
• Night Owl Cinema – this popular series of events will be moving around the city's parks over summer
• 100 per cent for Summer without Substances – a series of activities for young people to enjoy life, substance free.