Kent groups urged to submit UK Community Renewal Fund plans

Organisations with ideas to help Kent’s towns, rural and coastal areas thrive are being urged to submit their project plans to a new UK government programme.

The UK Community Renewal Fund aims to support people and communities most in need, that wish to bring forward new ideas to invest in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment.

Across the UK, up to £220m of predominantly revenue funding will be allocated to successful project bids. The maximum value of any individual bid is £3m.

Projects needs to align one or more of the fund’s four investment priorities:

• Investment in skills – such as work-based training, retraining and promoting digital skills.
• Investment for local business – for example supporting entrepreneurs, creating innovative products in collaboration with universities, or decarbonisation measures.
• Investment in communities and place – such as studies for delivering local energy projects, culture-led regeneration, improving green spaces and preserving important local assets.
• Supporting people into employment – including addressing barriers to employment, raising aspirations, and developing basic skills.

Submissions in the first three categories above must demonstrate some contribution to the government’s net zero carbon agenda.

‘The Community Renewal Fund offers a fantastic opportunity for Kent businesses and organisations to secure investment that will help both them and our communities,’ said director of growth and communities, Stephanie Holt-Castle.

‘We’re particularly looking to hear from voluntary and community sector organisations, local education providers, and town and parish councils on their proposals for projects that will make a tangible difference in Kent.

‘All proposals must align to one or more of the Community Renewal Fund’s four investment priorities, and any bids must show that they do not just benefit a single business or organisation – they must be able to evidence the wider impact that the project will have for multiple people, businesses or other organisations.’

All proposals for the Community Renewal Fund should be submitted to Kent County Council by 9am on 4 May.

Applications will then be appraised and prioritised, before being submitted to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on 18 June.

It is anticipated that decisions by government on the funding will be announced in summer 2021, with projects due to start in the summer and all project funding spent by 31 March 2022.

Photo Credit – Pixabay