Bedford Borough Council is pleased to invite applications for grants under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. These grants are available for two key areas: Community Infrastructure projects and Cultural projects within the Bedford Borough area.
The Community Infrastructure Grant Fund is designated for capital investment only, with a substantial funding pot of £455,000 earmarked for new or improvements to existing community and neighbourhood infrastructure projects. The grants available range from £1,000 to a maximum of £20,000. Applications are welcomed from a range of local organisations, such as registered charities, voluntary, community groups, Parish Councils and not-for-profit organisations with a constitution.
Tom Wootton, the Mayor of Bedford Borough, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunities these grants present for the local community, stating, "I am delighted to announce the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund grants for Bedford Borough. This £455,000 pot of funding offers a fantastic opportunity to invest in our communities.
Whether you have a vision to refurbish a community centre or scout hut, or to improve resilience within your community through retrofitting buildings, I encourage you to explore these grants and apply. Together, let's build a brighter and more vibrant future for Bedford Borough."
Similarly, the Cultural Grant Fund, aimed at revenue investment, provides a generous funding pot of £110,000 to support local arts, cultural, heritage, and creative activities. Grants under this fund range from £1,000 to £20,000.
Councillor Sarah Gallagher, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, said, "It’s fantastic to see the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund's Cultural Grant Fund. This funding could really benefit projects such as festivals and cultural events, creative activities for local communities, exhibitions, workshops, performances and more.
“I encourage anyone with a passion for culture and a vision for what they would like to achieve, to apply for this grant and help us celebrate all that makes Bedford Borough special."
Applications for both grants are now open and can be submitted at any point up until 10am on 2 August 2024 (or sooner if all funds have been allocated). All projects must be completed by 5 January 2025. Applications and additional information regarding eligibility criteria and guidelines can be found on the Bedford Borough Council website at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/UKSPF.
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 about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, interested parties can visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.