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UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Overview

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) was launched in April 2022 and provides £2.6 billion in funding for local investment by March 2025.

The Fund supports the ambitions of the Levelling Up White Paper and aims to build pride in place and increase life chances across the country.

Castle Point Borough Council has been allocated £1m for local levelling up projects.

Investment priorities

After consultation with a wide range of community stakeholders in line with UKSPF guidance, the Council has prioritised ten UKSPF interventions in its Investment Plan, which was submitted in September 2022 and approved by government in December 2022. The interventions focus on support for communities, businesses and skills development and these are being delivered through a combination of: grants to public or private organisations; commissioning third party organisations; procurement of service provision; and in-house provision.

What is the UK shared prosperity fund grant programme?

The Council has launched a grant programme allowing organisations to apply for funding towards:

  • Investment Priority E11:  investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups.

The programme will cover the following period: October 2023 -March 2025.

(Note: projects will need to work to financial year annual budgets)


The Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund Grant Programme is offering grants of:

  • Revenue only applications:  between £2500 and £5000
  • Capital only or Capital and Revenue applications: between £2500 and £7,500

(An expenditure becomes capital when the total is £10,000 or over and when it is related to  building work, including major repairs to the fabric of the building - but not solely replacement fittings/making good - and large items of equipment.)

For each project a minimum of 25% match funding is required (in-kind costs and volunteer time are not eligible as match funding).  Please note the split available in total between capital and revenue and apply accordingly.

This funding can be used for projects and activities that are delivered between 1st October 2023 and 31st March 2025.

How do I know if my project is eligible?

1. In order to be eligible to apply, you must be or represent an established organisation. This could include a community group, charity, voluntary organisation, Parish or Town Council, Community Interest Company or registered business. We are unfortunately unable to accept applications from individuals.

2. You must meet the criteria set by government for Investment Priority E11

3. You must be able to deliver against the outcome of increased engagement and be able to measure and evidence this.

4. You do not need to be based in the Castle Point Borough to apply, however your project must deliver within Castle Point Borough.

More detailed eligibility criteria are listed within the Guidance.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete two key documents and submit these with your application. These are:

These two documents will help us understand the benefits of your project, how it will help to deliver local and national objectives, and to check that your project is realistic and achievable. We will not review any additional documentation as part of the application process.

Step by step help is available in the Guidance and you can view an Explanatory Presentation below to help you complete these documents.

We have also compiled a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document which will be updated with any additional questions received from applicants.

If you need any additional support or accessibility adjustments, please email ukspf@castlepoint.gov.uk

When must I apply by?

The application form and excel timeline/budget sheet need to be emailed to ukspf@castlepoint.gov.uk and draft applications must be submitted by midday on 11th September 2023.

We will provide feedback on all draft applications received before the deadline for final applications at midday on 27th September 2023.