The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) has today announced the opening of its Autumn 2025 Investment Fund, making up to £25 million available to support projects that will drive growth, create jobs, and improve lives across the region.
The announcement was made at EMCCA’s October Investment Committee meeting. The fund will back strategic, deliverable projects that align with the region’s ambition to build a fairer, greener, and more prosperous East Midlands.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This is a major milestone for the East Midlands. By launching this £25m fund, we are backing the brilliant ideas that deliver real results for local people.”
Supporting inclusive growth across the region
This funding round follows the EMCCA Board’s approval in September of a new “twin-tracked” investment approach – supporting both short-term deliverable projects and longer-term strategic programmes that can make a lasting difference.
About 75 project proposals were received though the expression of interest call, representing about £160m of investment opportunities – demonstrating strong demand and ambition across the East Midlands.
A shortlist of projects will now be invited to bring forward full businesses to secure investment.
Mayor Claire said: “We want to see bold, practical projects that will shape the future of our places and our people. This is about supporting businesses to grow, improving skills, and investing in the places we’re proud to call home.”
Alongside this funding round, EMCCA is evolving its investment approach. Future funding rounds will move towards a thematic, place-based approach. EMCCA will work closely with public and private partners to develop project portfolios that focus on shared priorities rather than traditional open competitions.
Potential focus areas include:
- Town-centre and place renewal;
- Strategic employment and innovation sites;
- Skills and training infrastructure;
- Culture, heritage, sport, and rural development.
Accelerating progress
This new funding announcement builds on the progress that EMCCA is already making in the region. The combined country authority is delivering significant capital investment projects to support the East Midlands Growth Plan. Successes include:
- South Derbyshire Growth Zone which was backed by Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet earlier this month,
- Demolition of the Broad Marsh shopping centre in Nottingham which is due to commence later this year,
- Delivering the Infinity Prototyping Centre, a new innovation, research, and development space, at the Infinity Park East Midlands Investment Zone site
