Funding from £5,000-£40,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), part of UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda, is being made available to provide funding for local investment.
Funding aims to improve local pride in place, increase life chances, help spread and create opportunity and foster a sense of community and belonging.
Rushcliffe Borough Council has been allocated some UKSPF from Government and are making this available for community groups, businesses, voluntary or public sector organisations to apply for.
A portion of this funding, Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), is ringfenced capital funding to facilitate the delivery of projects tackling specific rural challenges such as lower productivity, poorer connectivity and poorer access to services.
Projects can cover a broad range of initiatives; examples of projects include:
- Creating and improving local green spaces
- Supporting local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities
- Boosting local sports facilities, tournaments, teams and leagues
- Investing in research and development
- Supporting businesses at all stages of their development to match fund their aspirations
- Strengthening Rushcliffe’s entrepreneurial ecosystems
- Investing in micro and small enterprises in rural areas, for net zero infrastructure and diversification of farm businesses
Projects must be delivered in Rushcliffe and must be able to spend their funding allocation by March 31 2024.
Further guidance about the funding and application process is available on the Borough Councils website and to hear more prospective applicants are invited to join a webinar on Monday March 27 from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
To register for the online session please email UKSPFenquiries@rushcliffe.gov.uk
Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Simon Robinson said: “We’re delighted to see the launch of this UKSPF funding this week which will make a wonderful difference in the Borough.
“The funding is a great investment in Rushcliffe and is open to projects that cover lots of different things, it’s widespread and is all about local pride in where we live, life chances, creating opportunities and sense of belonging.
“I encourage anyone in the Borough with a project to take advantage of this vital funding opportunity.
“If you would like to apply, please talk to our economic growth team who can help go through the funding criteria and make sure your project is eligible.”
