Flintshire Council has invited organisations to submit applications for projects to be supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and will provide £2.6 billion of funding for local investment across the UK by March 2025. 

Flintshire has been awarded an allocation of just over £13 million over a three year period.

The overarching objective of the Fund is to build pride in place and increase life chances and the UKSPF aims to achieve this through three investment priorities:

• Community and place;

• Supporting local business; and,

• People and skills 

In addition, funds are available to support adult numeracy (the Multiply programme).

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Flintshire Council is working alongside the other North Wales local authorities to administer and manage the programme on a regional basis. 

Further information about the UKSPF and links to the relevant bidding documentation, application form and guidance can be found on the council’s website: http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/SharedProsperityFund

The decision on which projects are awarded the funding is however made locally, with a partnership comprising a range of strategic stakeholders and partners advising and making recommendations on the key priorities and how the investment should be targeted.

The North Wales local authorities are looking to support large, strategic projects with a minimum value of £250,000. 

Project applications that involve grant programmes or another means to distribute the funds to smaller projects and other organisations and beneficiaries are encouraged.  Projects should be predominantly revenue based, although small capital projects can be considered for support. 

All projects will need to be fully completed and claimed by December 31, 2024 at the latest.

Any organisation wishing to apply must submit their online application by no later than 12noon, Friday, February 24, 2023.

North Wales MS Sam Rowlands said: “It is really important that the public have their say on how this post-Brexit funding is spent and I would urge anyone with a particular community project in mind to make sure they submit an application.

“I am a great supporter of this scheme as its main focus is to encourage communities to take back control of their money and spend it on their priorities. Here in North Wales we have already seen the benefits of the UKSPF and it would be great to see many more projects receiving funding.

“It is people and organisations living in our communities who know what is needed for their areas and that is why it is vital that they are listened to.”