A SECOND slice of funding is up for grabs to boost communities across Stratford district.
Businesses, organisations and community groups are being invited to apply for funding secured by Stratford District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund.
SDC is inviting eligible local organisations to submit expressions of interest for the second round of funding allocation, which will help support the delivery of projects and programmes that help to build pride in place, provide high quality skills training and increase life chances across the district.
A total of £3.6million was awarded to SDC by the government through the UKSPF, with a further £1,015,143 for two years available through the REPF, a separate fund focused on addressing the specific challenges faced by rural areas. All the funding must be invested by March 31, 2025.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s ambitious Levelling Up agenda and a significant component of its support for places across the UK.
The fund is administered by SDC, with the decision-making process supported by the Local Prosperity Advisory Group, established to evaluate the projects received and make recommendations on which schemes should be supported.
LPAG has representation from a number of local organisations and businesses including Warwickshire Association of Local Councils, Shakespeare’s England, Federation of Small Business, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Warwickshire and Solihull Community, Warwick University and Voluntary Action.
Eligible local organisations are able to submit their expressions of interest to SDC using the online application form.
The deadline for this round of applications is 5pm on Friday July 14.
And information webinars are being held by SDC in conjunction with Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action on Thursday June 15 from 6pm to 7.30pm and Tuesday June 20 from 8.30am to 10am.
Registration for these events is via Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/42db8wt
Applications are expected to come from statutory infrastructure providers and not-for-profit organisations such as state schools, community groups and registered charities for projects that demonstrate a wider community benefit.
SDC development spokesperson Coun George Cowcher said: “I am delighted that we are able to offer this funding opportunity in Stratford district and have the opportunity to work with and support local organisations, including parish councils, to make a real difference to our residents, employees and businesses.
“I am looking forward to seeing some innovative and ambitious new projects and programmes getting under way over the next few years, and to witnessing the lasting impact they are able to make for our communities and economy, particularly those that address the infrastructure problems that we have in the district.”
In the first round of funding allocation in March 2023, awards totalling just over £406,000 were agreed, supporting 13 separate initiatives across the district, including £25,000 for Great Alne Parish Council to upgrade the streetlights, £25,000 for Stockton and £2,500 for Snitterfield Playing fields to upgrade and extend the play facilities, £20,000 for Wixford Village Hall to help replace the village hall and £25,000 for Volunteer It Yourself CIC to improve Temple Grafton Community Hall.
For more information contact [email protected]
