The Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) forms part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and will commit over £2.6bn funding for local investment across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the end of March 2025.
The aim of the UK Government SPF is to support the levelling up of all parts of the UK. Its purpose is to boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards as well as improve public services, restore sense of community and empower communities. More information on the national Shared Prosperity Fund can be found on the UK Government website.
You can also view our application guidance and application form
Round 5
Deadline for applications – 7 June 2024
Estimated decision date – end July 2024
Background
Local authorities across the UK were given the task of planning and delivering investment within the following four investment priorities:
The UK Government announced in December 2022 that the Scottish Borders had been successful in securing just over £5m for three years to the end of March 2025.
Local authorities have discretion to deliver SPF through direct award, open grant funding, commissioning, procurement of service provision or in-house provision.
Expressions of Interest
As part of this investment, you are invited to submit an expression of interest for consideration in relation to the 'Community and Place' investment strand.
Examples of suitable projects would be those which support:
- Development of local towns, villages and communities;
- Town centre regeneration, including the development of local jobs and businesses;
- Place making through the development of town and village plans;
- The promotion of training and skills for all, with an emphasis on green skills and low carbon; and
- Active travel such as walking and cycling.
The total Community and Place investment is just over £1.9m. Please note funding offered is mainly revenue with a limited amount of capital (£786,000 over the two years).
We are looking for projects in the £20,000+ request range. Your project should be ready to start and have all necessary statutory requirements and match-funding (where applicable) in place.
If you are interested in putting forward an expression of interest please complete our expression of interest form, and email to CommunityGrants@scotborders.gov.uk
Your submission will be checked to assess whether your project could be suitable for SPF funding - you may be contacted to provide further details if the fit is not clear.
If your project is not considered suitable for SPF you will be advised of other more suitable funding routes or offered assistance with further project development if required.
Decisions on funding will be made by the Director of Resilient Communities and Acting Chief Financial Officer in consultation with the Economic Development Elected Members Reference Group, Convener of the Council and Leader of the Independent Group. Recommendations for funding will be put forward by the Place Partnership Advisory Group.