Shropshire Council is once again calling for applications for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which launched yesterday (Tuesday 14 November 2023).

Under the People & Skills Priority, applications are currently invited for projects that will deliver from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2025. Applicants must also be able to deliver the projects outputs and outcomes by 31 March 2025.

Projects under this call are required to address one or more of the following high-level opportunities:

• Tailored support to help employed people who are not currently supported by mainstream provision, to address barriers that prevent them from accessing education and training courses.
• Projects based in local areas to fund local skills needs. These projects should be targeted around ensuring that we develop the skilled workforce to achieve the Government’s net zero, wider environmental ambitions, but also support the engagement in mainstream skills and education to improve quality of life.

The return of application deadline for this phase is Monday 18 December 2023 at 5pm.

For further information and to make an application, people can visit: https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/relocating-and-investing/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/

Any queries should be directed by email only to ukspf@shropshire.gov.uk

In January 2023 £12.4 million of UK Shared Prosperity Fund money was awarded to the council.

Since the funding was announced, five application windows have taken place. This is the second of two calls for projects related to People & Skills.

To date, £4.1 million has been allocated and 42 projects have been supported across the three priorities of Supporting Local Business, Community & Place, and People & Skills. Applications under the most recent call for projects under Local Business and Community & Place are currently undergoing the appraisal process and are due to be announced by the end of the year.

Further general information may be found on: https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/relocating-and-investing/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/

Mark Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said:-

“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has already gone a long way to funding exciting and varied projects that address key issues in our county. We are positive this latest call will bring a fresh wave of ideas and initiatives, that will continue to provide real solutions for our businesses and residents.”

To read or hear more about the current projects that have been supported see:

https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/funding-stories-the-printworks-bridgnorth/

Unlocking Potential: Exploring the Latest Updates on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

More information

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the 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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus