UK Shared Prosperity Fund – grants and programmes

  

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UK Shared Prosperity Fund 

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (including the Rural England Prosperity Fund) is expected to invest £2,556,374 in South Derbyshire by March 2025. The Funds will support a range of initiatives during the three-year programme - 2022/23 (Year 1), 2023/24 (Year 2) and 2024/25 (Year 3) – including the following:

Business Start-Up Scheme

This scheme is open to people who are starting their own business, or have set up a business in the last 12 months. It offers expert advice, together with grants of up to £10,000. This is available now and will continue for the duration of the programme. To find out more go to
Further information visit Derbyshire Business Support.

Town Centre Public Realm

This project commenced in Year 1 and will continue throughout the programme. Key activities include the refurbishment of The Delph market square and the regeneration of the Bank House/Sabine’s Yard site (between Midland Road and Belmont Street) in Swadlincote town centre. The latter is to be converted into additional public car parking and a new pocket park.
Further information see destinationsouthderbyshire. 

South Derbyshire Community Grant Fund Scheme

A new community grant scheme for third sector organisations, voluntary and community groups will operate during Years 2 & 3. A Guide to the Criteria, Application Process and Conditions of Funding can be found here: Community Grants | South Derbyshire District Council  

Applicants who consider their project to be eligible after reading the Guidance document can request an application form from the Community Partnership Officer by emailing sally.hemsley@southderbyshire.gov.uk  

The first call for applications will end on 31 July 2023. After this, it will be an open rolling application process until the 31 December 2024 (to allow for completion of projects) or until all funding has been allocated.

South Derbyshire Business Grant Scheme

A grant scheme for smaller businesses will operate during Years 2 & 3, part-funding new investment. Full details, including eligible activities and organisations can be found in the Guidance Document (pdf, 436kb). Once you have read the Guidance Document, follow the link if you would like to submit an Expression of Interest.

 If you have any queries, please contact: business@southderbyshire.gov.uk

The District Council is currently recruiting for Business Advisers / Grant Appraisers (Closing Date: 17 September 2023) – Please click here for further details (docx, 206kb).

Town Centre Promotion

A programme of marketing, events and promotional activities will be undertaken in Years 2 & 3 to attract visitors to town centres and support the businesses therein. An additional Community Safety Enforcement Officer will be appointed, dedicated to tackling anti-social behaviour issues in town centres.
For further information see Visit South Derbyshire

Energy Reduction Audits and Business Grants

Audits of energy usage and expert advice on carbon reduction measures will be available to businesses. There will also be grants on offer to part-fund investments in improvements. This initiative is expected to operate in Years 2 & 3 as part of a Derbyshire-wide scheme. Further information will be provided in the future.

Business Support Programme

This programme will offer specialist advice, training and support to businesses, including workshops and events. It is expected to operate in Years 2 & 3 as part of a Derbyshire-wide scheme. Further information will be provided in the future.

Employability Programme

Employability support will be provided to individuals furthest from the labour market to help them progress towards employment. It is expected that the programme will operate in Years 2 & 3. Further information will be provided in the future.

Skills Fund

The Skills Fund will address skills gaps in growing sectors of the local labour market, working with colleges and training providers. It is expected to operate in Year 3. Further information will be provided in the future.

Supporting Aspirations

An initiative to engage young people making the transition from education to employment, working with schools and contributing to the Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers guidance. It is expected to operate in Year 3. Further information will be provided in the future.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The programme outlined above is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. Further information https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

Lead Local Authority

South Derbyshire District Council has been designated as a ‘lead local authority’, responsible for planning and delivering the programme in South Derbyshire. Lead local authorities receive an area’s funding allocation to manage, including engaging partner organisations, preparing an investment plan, assessing and approving funding applications, processing payments and monitoring the impact of projects. For any enquiries regarding the programme, please contact economic.development@southderbyshire.gov.uk