New Funding Opportunities in Cheshire West and Chester

Charities, Organisations and businesses across the borough can apply to the Cheshire West and Chester Council UK Shared Prosperity Fund, for project funding from Monday 3 April.

The Council is allocating £1.805m to support heritage, cultural and community projects as well as those that support business start-up and growth over the next two years.

This is an opportunity for local organisations to show how they can offer solutions to meet needs across the borough.  The funding will encourage innovative and sustainable projects that will have a positive lasting impact across the whole of west Cheshire.

There is funding available for both activities and capital works that can address local challenges, fill gaps in provision and help residents, communities and local businesses to thrive.

This will be the first opportunity for organisations who feel they can help deliver in the local area, but the Council will also hold some funding back until Autumn 2023 to enable partners who need a little more time to prepare proposals or better understand the cost of capital work. 

The funding is part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances though investing in three themes: Communities and Place; Supporting local business; and People and Skills. The Cheshire West and Chester Investment Plan sets out the focus and outcomes for each of these themes and was approved by Government in December 2022.

To apply to the Shared Prosperity Fund visit:

 https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/business/shared-prosperity-fund/communities-and-place

For further details email: 

UKSPF@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk     

Activities funded with year One funding (22/23) were approved by Cabinet in January 2023, following the approval of the Investment Plan in December 2022.

Funding for people and skills activities, commences in April 2024, and will be subject to a later application process.

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.

For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - visit: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus