Applications for the final round of Medway’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) will open on Wednesday, 1 May.
This is the third and final year of UKSPF funding, which has already benefitted more than 40 projects across Medway so far.
Full details of the funding available this year will be announced at a launch event on Wednesday, 1 May at Rochester Corn Exchange, and will also be available online.
Charities, voluntary sector organisations, private sector organisations, higher and further education institutions and public sector organisations will all be able to apply for funding during the application window, which will be open for one month.
In 2022, the government announced UK Shared Prosperity Funding of £1.8million for Medway to invest in three key priority areas over a three-year period – community and place, supporting businesses, and people and skills.
This year will be the biggest year ever, with significant funding available through three different grant schemes:
Pride in Place
These grants aim to enhance and support local community infrastructure projects, support and develop tourism campaigns, and help to build capacity for local community groups.
Feasibility Fund
These grants aim to help get ideas off the ground by allowing studies and research to be undertaken, supporting concept ideas and business plan development.
People and Skills Fund
These grants aim to support applicants who are looking to improve the education, training, life skills and employment opportunities for people in Medway.
Brilliant initiatives brought to life
Cllr Lauren Edwards, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic and Social Regeneration and Inward Investment, said: “Medway is a great place to live, work, learn and visit – and the funding available from the UKSPF will only continue to enhance Medway’s vibrancy and innovativeness. This is the final year of funding from the current UKSPF programme, so I would encourage any business, organisation or group in Medway to make sure they apply when applications open. We have been able to support some fantastic projects over the last two years, and I look forward to seeing more brilliant initiatives brought to life and supported in this third year.”
Find out more about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6billion 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. For more information visit their website.