Boost for community projects as first Shared Prosperity Fund grants awarded

Local businesses and community groups across the city are being awarded funding of up to £10,000 after successfully bidding for grants from the Brighton & Hove Shared Prosperity Fund.

The grants have been awarded to a range of projects which aim to create opportunities, reduce inequality, improve pride in place and increase life chances for residents in the city.

Local projects

The first local projects which will benefit from the national funding include marketing, promotion and business development support for local start-ups, events celebrating local culture and heritage, investment to reduce business carbon emissions and make accessibility improvements to community spaces.

They include:

• Emerging businesses developing training and coaching for marginalised and under-represented groups.
• Projects engaging children and young people from Moulsecoomb to Whitehawk.
• Celebrating heritage and culture in Portslade.
• Investment to make community buildings and facilities more accessible from Hollingdean to Hangleton.
• Events showcasing sustainable fashion, celebrating diversity, promoting anti-racism, and strengthening the creative community across the city.
• Support for business growth and investment.
• Grants to reduce carbon emission through switching from diesel delivery to eCargo bike and other investments in energy efficiency. 

Exciting!

Council Leader Bella Sankey said: “We want all of our communities & businesses to thrive so it's exciting to see so many successfully bid for this funding.

“From engaging young people in Moulsecoomb, celebrating Portslade's rich & fascinating heritage, to supporting Black & ethnic minority enterprises and pursuing our carbon neutral ambitions, this funding round has showcased the best of Brighton & Hove.

“I look forward to seeing these projects come to life, and hearing stories of their positive impact on communities across the city.”

Over 200 applications

The Shared Prosperity Fund grants were launched back November when community organisations, businesses and creative or cultural organisations were invited to submit bids for grants to support existing projects or fund new initiatives, under five streams:

• Community facilities improvements
• Parks and green spaces
• Creativity, culture and heritage 
• Small business innovation
• Business decarbonisation

More than 200 applications were received, bidding for £750,000 worth of grants.

Levelling up

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. 

The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. 

Grants will continue to be awarded over the coming weeks and we will be sharing stories of the outcomes as the projects get underway in the coming months.