A second call for applications for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) opened in early April and will remain open for applications until 5pm on 12 May 2023.

This call will focus on two priorities: supporting local businesses, and community and place.

Under the supporting local business priority, Invest In Shropshire is seeking applications for projects from intermediary organisations to deliver support to businesses, for example through business support initiatives or grant programmes, ie one to many. It is not a call that will support individual grant requests from businesses for their own benefit.

Under the community and place priority, the council is once again seeking applications from intermediary organisations to deliver support, services, amenities or facilities to local communities. This could include community and place initiatives or grant programmes, ie one to many.

Projects under this priority must deliver a positive impact on their community, and the call will support applications that can clearly demonstrate this.

All projects under both calls must start within six months of 1 July 2023, and all outputs and outcomes must be delivered by 31 March 2025.

The minimum bid thresholds are £100,000 for activity relating to supporting local business, and £60,000 for activity relating to community and place.

All prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to further details on how to apply, particularly the eligibility criteria. All the necessary documentation is available here:

https://www.investinshropshire.co.uk/relocating-and-investing/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/