UK Shared Prosperity Fund – grants and programmes

 

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UK Shared Prosperity Fund 

The UK Shared Prosperity 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. For further information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund Guidance.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (including the Rural England Prosperity Fund) is expected to invest £1,001,681 in South Derbyshire between April 2025 and September 2026. The Funds will support a range of initiatives 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. [Grants currently not available]. To find out more go to:

Further information visit Derbyshire Business Support.

South Derbyshire Community Grant Fund Scheme

Please note, we have currently stopped accepting applications for the South Derbyshire Community Grant Fund Scheme due to the number of applications received to date and the limited funds now remaining. We will re-assess the situation after the next Grant Panel meeting which will be held later in November. If you would like to register your interest in the grant scheme, please email the Community Partnership Officer, contact details below.

A community grant scheme for third sector organisations, voluntary and community groups is available. A Guide to the Criteria, Application Process and Conditions of Funding can be found at 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  

South Derbyshire Business Grant Scheme

Please note, we have currently stopped accepting applications for the South Derbyshire Business Grant Scheme due to the number of applications received to date and the limited funds now remaining. We will re-assess the situation later in the year. If you would like to register your interest in the grant scheme, please email; business@southderbyshire.gov.uk

A grant scheme for smaller businesses is available, part-funding new investment. Full details, including eligible activities and organisations can be found in the Guidance Document (pdf, 495kb) (pdf, 454kb).

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

Link to Expression of Interest

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SouthDerbyshireBusinessGrantApplication2025/  

Town Centre Promotion

A programme of marketing, events and promotional activities will be undertaken during the year to attract visitors to town centres and support the businesses therein.
For further information see Visit South Derbyshire

Business Support Programme

This programme offers training to businesses, including webinars, workshops and events. This programme is known as South Derbyshire Accelerator and is available until 31st March 2026 as part of a Derbyshire-wide scheme. Further information visit EMCCA Growth Hub

Skills Fund

The Skills Fund is supporting training for unemployed residents interested in working in four of the area’s growing sectors: Hospitality, Fabrication & Welding, Childcare, and IT & Digital Skills - aiming to address skills gaps in the local labour market. In addition, it will offer free short training courses to employees/residents of South Derbyshire - these courses are also being delivered by Burton & South Derbyshire College and cover: Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (EV); Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS); Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies; Solar Photovoltaic Systems; and Electrical Energy Storage Systems.

Employability Programme

Employability support is being provided to unemployed individuals to help them progress towards employment. The programme is known as Beyond Barriers South Derbyshire and is being delivered in partnership with Groundwork Five Counties. For further information visit Groundwork Beyond Barriers.

Supporting Aspirations

An initiative to engage young people making the transition from education to employment, working with secondary schools and colleges, contributing to the Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers guidance. It is being delivered in partnership with Direct Education Business Partnership (DEBP). For further Information visit DEBP.

Visitor Economy

A number of investments in the visitor attractions, facilities and accessibility of South Derbyshire are underway, including improvements to Rosliston Forestry Centre and the National Forest’s ‘greenweb’ of footpaths and cycleways. For visitor information including trails, please go to Visit South Derbyshire

UK Shared Prosperity Fund
The programmes outlined above are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.