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
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.
Successful applications
|
Round |
Organisation |
Project Title |
Description |
SPF Award |
|
1 |
Newcastleton & District Community Trust |
Holm Hill Active Leisure |
First phase development is to provide new active travel walking, running and cycling routes to attract tourism and enhance the positioning of Newcastleton as an outdoor destination. Also create design for an active leisure hub where equipment hire, car parking, toilets and refreshments can be obtained for visitors and the local community. |
£284,000 |
|
1 |
Scottish Cycling |
Leading the Way: Creating the European Capital for Mountain Biking |
Recruitment of 2 dedicated Co-ordinators to take forward future development of the MTB resource including improving MTB skills agenda, creation of new and sustainable jobs through business development support, improved products and creation of digital innovation packages. Encourage ‘bike friendly’ accommodation providers, develop MTB infrastructure where lacking, facilitate good relationships with landowners to increase trail capacity, support set up trail associations and offer practical workshops. |
£242,798 |
|
1 |
Archaeology Scotland |
The Place to Be: 12 Towers, Adopt-a-Monument & Attainment through Archaeology |
Skills development for young people and marginalised groups such as veterans, refugees and asylum seekers through alternative methods using archaeological digs, workshops and courses. Development of transferable skills in digital technology; written and talking language, maths, timekeeping etc. |
£83,604 |
|
1 |
Southern Uplands Partnership |
Energy Efficient Supply Chain |
This project will bring together stakeholders to address issues and agree priorities to meet net zero requirements. Delivery of training for local tradespeople and businesses with assistance to reduce current cost barriers and ensure skills to procure green contracts within the local area without the work being disseminated further afield. Setting up of local trades consortiums to ensure local businesses have skill set to work together collaboratively to deliver largescale green contracts etc. |
£120,539 |
|
1 |
Scottish Borders Council |
Borderlands Community Place Plans & Town Investment Plans |
Consultancy support for Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick and Jedburgh to develop local Plan Plans and Town Investment Plans to enable progression to project funding as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. |
£120,000 |
|
1 |
Scottish Borders Council |
Community Led Place Plans Support |
Set up of fund for 49 communities across Scottish Borders to assess monetary support to deliver their own Place Plans dependent on what level of support is required. |
£180,000 |
|
1 |
Scottish Borders Council |
Employment Support Worker – Project SEARCH |
Recruitment of fulltime Employment Support Worker to deliver Project SEARCH previously funded through the ESF Programme. This offers a one year internship for young people in the 16-29 age range with additional needs such as learning disability or autism. |
£34,723 |
|
1 |
Scottish Borders Council |
Employment Support Worker – Family Firm |
Recruitment of Employment Support Worker to work with partners and stakeholders to identify individuals in the 16-25 year age range requiring support to employment. The post will be community based and work across the Borders area to prepare Care Experience Young People for employment through employability training and access into employment opportunities. |
£29,070.50 |
|
1 |
Scottish Borders Council |
Employability Training Delivery |
Due to increased demand for No One Left Behind Stages 2 and 3, this project will provide 2 additional trainers to continue delivering a high quality service across the Scottish Borders. Stage 2 courses are delivered using a blended learning approach. Stage 3 is a roll-on-roll off programme that offers a work experience placement in an area of employment where a young person is interested to learn to gain skills, knowledge and experience to progress to paid employment. |
£67,204.50 |
|
2 |
The Trimontium Trust |
The Trimontium Museum Historical Archaeological Landscape Observatory (HALO) – A Living Museum for Future Generations |
To furnish the newly refurbished activity space at the Museum in Melrose with virtual reality and digital equipment, designed to enhance the visitor experience. |
£57,861 |
|
2 |
A Heart for Duns |
AHFD Development Planning |
To undertake further community consultation work and a cost planning exercise which will help to develop ambitious plans to upgrade the Volunteer Hall in Duns. |
£41,940 |
|
2 |
Borders College |
Retrofit & Green Skills |
To enable delivery of bespoke skills and training programmes to help support the green economy and local supply chain for local housing stock. This programme is designed to maximise decarbonisation of current housing stock and upskill the workforce to meet new property requirements. |
£530,400 |
|
2 |
Re-Tweed |
International Tartan |
To develop its International Tartan enterprise and offer skills training in bespoke tailoring to 30+ disadvantaged women and young people. |
£79,514 |
|
2 |
Tweed Forum |
Destination Tweed |
To recruit a Senior Project Officer and Tourism Engagement Officer to support the delivery of Destination Tweed. This project will deliver a trail from Moffat to Berwick-Upon-Tweed, along with 13 other heritage and environmental related projects along the route of the River Tweed. |
£149,755 |
|
2 |
Scottish Borders Council |
Regional Home Demonstrator |
Contribution from Scottish Borders as part of the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Regional Deal joint commitment by partners and Scottish Government to delivery the regional housing programme. |
£30,000 |