Leicester projects encouraged to bid for UK Community Renewal funding
Set up to boost the 100 communities most in need across the UK, the fund is part of the government's bid to level up access to opportunities across the country.
Image credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Submitted by Leicester City Council
The UK Community Renewal Fund is now open to bidding from innovative Leicester projects that boost local investment.
Set up to help 100 communities across the UK, the government's £220 million fund aims to level up access to opportunities across the country.
To be eligible to apply for funding, projects must provide innovative ways to boost investment in skills, local businesses, communities, and places - or must help people find employment.
Voluntary and community sector organisations in Leicester, together with local councils, universities, and business support organisations, were able to register their interest in bidding for a share of the funding from Friday, April 16.
Cllr Danny Myers, assistant city mayor for jobs, skills, and policy delivery, said: "We want to make sure that Leicester takes advantage of every bit of funding that's available to help us bounce back from the pandemic.
"This new opportunity could provide £3 million to fund projects in Leicester that would boost the local economy, improve opportunities for local people, and support our priorities around employment and business."
The scheme will be administered locally by Leicester City Council, which will prioritise the city's bids into a shortlist, with a total value of no more than £3 million, that will be submitted to the government for approval.
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Cllr Danny Myers said: "I would encourage any local groups and organisations with big ideas to go to our website and find out how they can bid for a share of this funding and make their ideas for positive change a reality."
Each bid for funding should seek a minimum of £250,000, with a preferred bid size of £500,000+.
All successful projects must be complete, and funding spent, before the end of March 2022.
Applicants are asked to register their interest to bid by April 30 and should complete the full application form by May 21. The government is due to make its funding decisions in late July.
The UK Community Renewal Fund will be administered nationally by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which hopes that the scheme will help local areas prepare for the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund next year.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is the government's response to supporting people and places across the country, following the pandemic and Britain's departure from the European Union.
The application documents, which should be read carefully, are available on Leicester City Council's website here.
Questions about the fund or the application process can be emailed here.
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