The UK government is providing £220m funding through the UK Community Renewal Fund to help local areas prepare for the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in 2022.
Shetland Islands Council is now seeking bids from organisations who wish to deliver activity as part of the UK Community Renewal Fund. Projects must deliver activity that is line with the UK Community Renewal Fund Prospectus and align with at least one of the following investment priorities:
- Investment in skills
- Investment for local business
- Investment in communities and place
- Supporting people into employment
The UK Government anticipates supporting a range of projects by theme and size, but applicants are encouraged to maximise impact and deliverability through larger projects (£500,000+) where this is possible. As 90% of funding available through the UK Community Renewal Fund is revenue funding and only available in 2021/22, projects should be predominantly or exclusively revenue based.
Projects that focus predominantly on the construction or major refurbishment of buildings, the purchase of land or the purchase of large pieces of equipment are unlikely to be supported.
To ensure the UK Community Renewal Fund reaches the places most in need, the UK Government has identified 100 priority places based on an index of economic resilience across Great Britain. While Shetland has not been identified as one of these priority places, bids of a high quality may still be considered.
Successful UK Community Renewal Fund bids will be for 2021/22 only and activity must end by 31 March 2022.
Further information on the Fund can be found on the Council’s website here. Before starting work on a bid, applicants should read the UK Community Renewal Fund Prospectus, with details on the Fund, the types of projects it intends to support, and the competitive selection process; and also the UK Community Fund Technical Note for Project Applicants and Deliverers.
Applicants should also note that only bids submitted on the UK Community Renewal Fund application form will be accepted, and must be returned to Shetland Islands Council by 5pm on Friday 14 May 2021.