Year 3 UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Year 2 Rural England Prosperity Fund

Today, the 11^th of March, calls have opened for project applications for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK government's ambitious Levelling Up agenda and a significant component of its support for places across the UK. It aims to empower local lead authorities to identify opportunities to build pride in place, improve the places in which people live and support individuals and businesses to thrive, by:

• Boosting productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector, especially in those places where they are lagging.
• Spreading opportunities and improving public services, especially in those places where they are weakest.
• Restoring a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost.
• Empowering local leaders and communities, especially in those places lacking local agency.

Changes from Year 2 funding and application processes are as follows:

• A more targeted Community and Place funding call is being launched.
• The Rural England Prosperity Fund is being launched alongside the UKSPF.
• There will be no open calls for business support projects, as we are partnering with other Local Authorities to extend six joint county wide programmes from Year 2 to Year 3, which are now open for businesses needing support.
• This will be the first and only year of funding for Skills, including:
  • A joint tender with Warwickshire County Council to deliver the revenue skills funding to support those unemployed and upskilling those in work.
  • Supporting the county-wide Multiply Programme, which teaches fundamental maths.
  • The alignment of Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Growing Opportunity Plan Actions with SPF skills and training opportunities.
• Having the intention to use the E39 capital funding to support Stratford-on-Avon College to develop as a centre for excellence in future green skills, especially automotive electric vehicle training courses.

The total 2024-2025 funding allocation from the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) is £2,286,796 for UKSPF and £761,384 for REPF.

There are two webinars, delivered in partnership with Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action (WCAVA), to offer more information and support to applicants:

• Wednesday 13^th March 2024, 6.30pm-8.00pm
• Thursday 21^st March 2024, 8.30am-10.00am

Please use this link to book your place.

The call for applications will close on Tuesday 9^th April 2024 at midnight, to find out more click here.