Dorset council is seeking applications from relevant organisations to apply for government’s Community Renewal Fund. The Fund is specifically for projects that focus on supporting people and communities most in need across the UK.
Applicants can put forward potential projects which align with one, or deliver across several, of the following investment priorities:
- investment in skills
- investment for local business
- investment in communities and place
- supporting people into employment
We are seeking applications from:
- voluntary and community sector organisations
- umbrella business groups
- universities and colleges
- local councils
- private sector organisations providing a service to benefit other organisations or individuals
Projects should show how they complement other national and local provision and refer to local insight and knowledge. Projects will need to demonstrate how they fit with long-term strategic plans for growth. The Dorset Council Economic Growth strategy 2020-2024 can be found here, and the Dorset LEP local industrial strategy here.
Dorset Council area projects can bid up to £3m in total for funding. The Fund is for projects that can be delivered and completed up to 31 March 2022. Applicants are encouraged to maximise impact and deliverability through larger projects (£500,000 + where this is possible), although there is no minimum bid size. The grant is 90% revenue funding.
Bids need to be submitted to Dorset Council by 21 May. Dorset Council will then appraise and prioritise a shortlist of projects to submit to government. The UK government will assess all bids submitted by lead authorities against the criteria set out in the UK Community Renewal Fund: prospectus 2021-22.
Successful projects will be announced by the government from late July 2021 onwards.
Cllr Tony Ferrari told KeeP 106: “We welcome this opportunity from government as part of the national levelling up agenda, and also helping recovery following the Coronavirus pandemic. The Community Renewal Fund could directly benefit many people in our local economy and communities. Local insights for supporting communities and growing Dorset’s local economy will be crucial in being awarded the funding. We all want to see a greener and more prosperous Dorset come out of the ashes of the pandemic.”
