More than £300,000 of funding is being made available for projects across Medway through Year 4 of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Applications are open now and will close on Wednesday, 7 May.
The funding is for locally active charities, private and voluntary sector organisations, higher and further education institutions and public sector organisations to better the lives of Medway residents and businesses.
Since launching in 2022, almost 100 projects in Medway have benefited from funding through the UKSPF.
This year, funding will be split between three grant schemes:
Feasibility Fund
This scheme aims to help projects, events or programmes get off the ground by allowing studies and research to take place, exploring concepts and developing business plans.
This fund can help to unlock projects capable of securing further public and private investment in the longer-term.
Pride in Place Fund
This scheme aims to boost and support local community infrastructure projects, as well as support and develop tourism campaigns and help to further enhance local community groups.
This year, the Pride in Place Fund will focus on two key priorities – ‘Communities and Place’ and ‘Supporting Local Business’.
Summer Events Fund
This scheme aims to support large-scale summer events which foster pride in Medway and encourage people to visit and explore the area.
Events eligible for this scheme must take place between June and August 2025 and have a minimum of 500 attendees.
Please note, the Summer Events Fund application window closes at 11.59pm on Monday, 21 April.
So many brilliant projects
Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration and Inward Investment, said: “It was fantastic to hear the government’s announcement that the UKSPF would be extended for an additional year. So many brilliant projects have benefited from it over the last three years here in Medway, and whether you are already working on an established project, or have just had a brilliant idea you want to explore, I would urge you to put in an application.”
Drop-in sessions
This year, Medway’s UKSPF team will also be holding drop-in sessions at Ascend Coworking in Chatham, where applicants can get in-person one-to-one support with their applications.
The sessions can be used to help develop project ideas and their scope, as well as answer any questions you may have around the application process.
The drop-in sessions are free but must be booked in advance. The 30-minute sessions will take place between 10am and 4pm on:
- Friday, 11 April
- Thursday, 17 April
- Friday, 25 April
- Friday, 2nd May
Passionate people with great ideas
Cllr Mahil added: “I am really pleased we are able to offer drop-in sessions where people can get one-to-one advice for their applications this year. I am sure they will be popular, so if you are keen to speak to our team and get some help, make sure you book your slot as soon as you can. Don’t worry if you miss it though, there will be other opportunities to talk to the team about your application. We have so many passionate people with great ideas here in Medway and I am excited to see the projects that will be put forward this year.”
Find out more about the UKSPF, application process and drop-in sessions.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is funded by UK Government. For more information visit their website.