Two new grant schemes open for applications
Two new grant schemes to help local not-for-profit organisations run projects and initiatives that improve the lives of residents have opened for applications.
The skills and employability grants and the pride in place grants are being managed by the city council using government funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Skills and employability grants are aimed at organisations that work to improve people’s health, wellbeing and employability, with a maximum of £10,000 available under a single application. Applicants will need to prove they are:
- Improving employability, such as familiarising people with employers’ expectations
- Supporting economically inactive or unemployed people in job searching and into self-employment
- Increasing work experience opportunities for economically inactive or unemployed people
- Developing and managing volunteering
Pride in place grants are for organisations working on projects that improve quality of life opportunities in the district. Again, a maximum of £10,000 can be applied for, with funding prioritised for those who can demonstrate they are increasing:
- Visitor and user numbers for local venues, facilities and amenities
- Participation in arts, heritage and cultural activities
- Support for local sports facilities, tournaments, teams and leagues
- Support to encourage volunteering
Applications under both schemes must be submitted by 9am on Monday 26 February and all projects must take place between 1 April 2024 and 3 March 2025.
They can be submitted on the council’s website where detailed guidance notes about the application process can also be found.
Cabinet member for community, Cllr Connie Nolan, said: “We have so many fantastic voluntary organisations in the district who do great work to support our residents, and are proud to be backing them once again with these two new grant schemes.
“From sports and the arts to helping individuals get back into the world of work, these grants will make a big difference to the lives of lots of local people.”
The grant schemes are funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by the end of March 2025.
The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and places, supporting local businesses, and people and skills. Find out more on the GOV.UK website.
Published: 23 January 2024