The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, people and skills.
The government has allocated £4.2 million for investment in communities across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. This has been divided across 3 prescribed local investment priorities, Local Business Interventions, Communities and Place Interventions and People and Skills Interventions.
For supporting business information, check our UK Shared Prosperity Fund page.
Support areas for Communities and Place are:
- creation of and improvements to local green spaces
- funding for impactful volunteering and/or social action projects
- investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups
- investment in community engagement schemes
- community measures to reduce the cost of living, including measures to improve energy efficiency, and combat fuel poverty and climate change.
The fund is aiming to support local community groups delivering impactful volunteering and/or social action projects and activities, within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, that improve lives. Revenue grants up to £5,000 will be considered for projects that will foster a sense of local pride and belonging, and support community-led projects. The total amount is £50,000 for the year 2023/24 and £50,000 for 2024/25.
The fund is also offering small grants to support small capital improvements, for eligible community groups running community buildings in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, that provide facilities for local community led groups and activities. This includes community centres, hubs or village halls. Grants up to £2,000 will be available. The total amount available is £30,000 for the year 2023/24 and £50,000 for 2024/25. Further details about the schemes and application process can be found on the Dorset Community Foundation website.
View the grants given to local groups in 2023/24.
More information is available on the GOV.UK website.