Aims/priorities: The UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF) is a UK Government programme for 2021/22.
The fund aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes and new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It invests in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.
The UK Government has designated 100 areas as ‘Priority Places’, of which four are in Greater Manchester: Bolton, Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale.
UK Government has identified Greater Manchester as the Lead Authority for Greater Manchester with responsibility for inviting, assessing, prioritising, and submitting bids to government of up to £3 million per local authority area. Greater Manchester projects in these four Local Authority Priority Places will be prioritised in the final UK Government assessment. All projects must be delivered by 31 March 2022.
The UK Government is particularly interested in bids which build on local insight and knowledge, align with long-term strategic plans for local growth, target people most in need, support community renewal, and demonstrate a contribution to national net zero and carbon reduction ambitions. The Government is also keen that this Fund is used to support innovation and new ideas.
The UKCRF has four national investment priorities:
- Skills: including work-based training, retraining and digital skills/inclusion
- Local business: including supporting entrepreneurs, innovation and decarbonisation
- Communities and place: including feasibility studies for net zero projects, opportunities for culture-led regeneration, green spaces and rural connectivity.
- Supporting people into employment: including addressing barriers to employment, raising aspirations, and basic skills.
Who can apply? Any legally constituted organisation delivering an appropriate service in the UK may apply. This includes local councils, charities, voluntary and community sector organisations, local education providers, including universities, and umbrella business groups.
Grant amount: Up to £3 million per local authority area.
Application process: If you are interested in applying, you will need to register your organisation on The Chest
Deadline: The deadline for submissions is 4pm, Friday 14 May 2021.
Contact Information: Email: ukcrf@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
Website address: www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/economy/uk-community-renewal-fund/