Council seeking bids for project funding

NEATH Port Talbot Council is now looking for applications for the UK Community Renewal Fund.

The UK Government is providing an additional £220m funding through the UK Community Renewal Fund to help areas prepare for the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in 2022.

This fund aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches and will invest in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.

Neath Port Talbot Council is now seeking bids from organisations wishing 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 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, 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 on the construction or major refurbishment of buildings, the purchase of land or the purchase of large pieces of equipment will not be supported.

Applicants should read the UK Community Renewal Fund prospectus on the UK Government website before starting work on a bid. The prospectus provides detailed information on the objectives of the fund, the types of projects it intends to support and how it operates, including the process and selection criteria.

Successful fund bids will be for 2021-22 only and activity must end in March 2022.

Bids must be submitted using the UK Community Renewal Fund application form, and returned via email to CRFNPT@NPT. gov by noon on May 14.