New Funding Opportunities to Level up in Cheshire West and Chester

Charities, Organisations and Constituted Community groups across the borough will soon have a chance to apply for the Cheshire West and Chester’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

It is set to launch its second open call for projects for Community and Place from 20th November.

In total the Council is aiming to allocate up to £1.5m to support heritage, cultural and community projects for activity in 2024-2025, responding to identified local challenges, gaps in provision and to help residents and communities with the cost-of-living crisis.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration said:

“Earlier this year, we funded a wide range of community focused projects right across the borough to ensure that local people and charities could access funding to deliver positive solutions to benefit our area. Funding went to a wide range of projects – from supporting volunteers to address mental health and improve access to information on disability rights, through to supporting dance and youth music and theatre activities.”

“I am really pleased that despite pressures on Council’s budgets, we are offering this second opportunity. The Council is hoping to see innovative and sustainable projects that will have a positive lasting impact across the whole of the borough which will enhance the life of local residents.”

The funding, which includes both funding for capital works as well as revenue funding for activities, has been made available as part of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund which as part of the Government’s Levelling-Up agenda aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances.  Funding is available to invest in existing arts, cultural, heritage institutions and activities, impactful volunteering and to support community groups and facilities.

The Council is reserving the right not to commit the full SPF Community and Place allocation to submitted applications should proposals received not represent value for money or if alternative use of resource, which delivers required outputs aligned to adopted SPF Investment Plan, be identified including helping to sustain internal or external services that might otherwise be a risk due to budget pressures.

For more details about the Shared Prosperity Fund, Community and Place funding available, including details of eligibility, guidance on outputs and the Council’s priorities, visit: 

https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/business/shared-prosperity-fund/shared-prosperity-fund.aspx

The deadline for applications is 20th December 2023.

Or should you have any questions, email: 

UKSPF@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Details of activities funded in first call is available: 

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

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