With two weeks to go until the funding application deadline, the Homecoming Scotland team is delighted with the interest Scotland's event organisers have shown in the £1 million Themed Events Programme.

Applications for the programme, which provides funding opportunities to enhance or develop events run as part of the Homecoming celebrations, must be submitted by midday on February 26.

Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to motivate people of Scottish descent, as well as those who simply love Scotland, to come home in 2009 and take part in an inspirational celebration of our culture, heritage and the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world.

2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, with the programme's design guided by Scotland's unique position as the home of Burns, Golf, Whisky, the Enlightenment and Innovation, and of course as the ancestral home of millions of people of Scots descent worldwide.

Essential to the success of Homecoming Scotland is the creation of a strong and inspiring programme of events and activity taking place in Scotland during 2009 that will engage and motivate Scots at home and abroad to take part in the celebrations. Already, an exciting range of activities are being proposed from the Western Isles to the Scottish Borders and everywhere in between.

Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer of EventScotland, the national events agency responsible for delivering Homecoming Scotland said: "2009 promises to be a very exciting year for Scots at home and abroad and of course for those who have a love of the country.

"We've been delighted with the interest shown in the Themed Events Programme so far and have already had a number of very exciting discussions around a number of event proposals.

"With just a couple of weeks before the February 26th submission date, we're still keen to hear from event organisers across the country that might have ideas for helping create or develop events in 2009."

The Themed Events Programme has funding totalling £1million to support events taking place through 2009 and which reflect the themes and help deliver the objectives for Homecoming Scotland. Of those which apply for funds, events which present the strongest case in terms of generating additional tourism, reflecting the themes and engaging with Scotland's wider global family will be in the strongest position for receiving support.

Further information:
Homecoming Scotland  

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