Projects invited to bid for Government funding to help boost Nottinghamshire economy

Nottinghamshire is set to have a share of the Government’s £220 million UK Community Renewal Fund which aims to help local communities most in need, by improving skills, breaking down the barriers to employment and supporting local businesses.

Nottinghamshire County Council will help deliver the new fund.

The Government has identified Newark &Sherwood, Mansfield and Bassetlaw as three of the 100 priority areas for the new fund, based on an index of economic measures around productivity, household income, unemployment, skills and population density.

However organisations in other areas of the county including Gedling, Rushcliffe, Broxtowe and Ashfield are still encouraged to apply if their project matches the grant criteria.

Up to £3 million is being made available in each of the county’s three priority areas for projects that meet specific bid criteria, with bids being welcomed from a range of organisations.

These include local authorities, public sector organisations, higher and further education institutions, private sector organisations and registered charities.

The bid criteria include helping those who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic to be supported back into work, supporting small businesses and encouraging new businesses, supporting market towns by improving footfall, encouraging more visitors to Nottinghamshire to help support the local tourism and hospitality trade, helping businesses improve their low carbon credentials and supporting manufacturers to digitally upskill the workforce to meet the increasing challenges of advances in technology.

Matthew Neal, Nottinghamshire County Council’s director of investment and growth, said: “This is an opportunity for organisations to continue to play a vital role in our county’s post-pandemic recovery.

“We are looking for projects which will improve the quality of life for Nottinghamshire residents and businesses by boosting skills, getting people back into work and helping local small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive.

“Given this fund is likely to generate a lot of interest, we are requesting organisations to get in touch with us before 5pm on Friday, April 16 at [email protected] with a summary of their organisation’s potential bid and their contact details.

"They will then have until noon on Friday, May 7 to submit their full and final bid.

“With this timing in mind, we would encourage Nottinghamshire organisations with existing projects and programmes which meet the priorities to come forward, but we also welcome any new approaches and ideas which can be delivered before March 31, 2022 by eligible organisations with a proven track record and local insight.

“This funding is for revenue-based projects such as skills-based training, business support and advice and helping individuals into work, so isn’t designed for new buildings, refurbishments or equipment.”

After May 7, applications will be assessed and a proposed list of projects submitted to the Government by June 18.

The Government will announce which projects have been successful in late July.

All projects must be complete, with all funds spent, by March 31, 2022.

Bids of more than £500,000 to maximise impact and deliverability are encouraged but there is no minimum threshold.

For more information, click here.