North Wales Shared Prosperity Fund
As part of the UK’s Shared Prosperity programme, over £20m has been earmarked for the county of Gwynedd, with some of the funds committed to establishing grant funds for supporting Voluntary Sector projects.
Mantell Gwynedd announced the good news at the end of August 2023 that £1.5 million had been earmarked to share amongst voluntary and community groups in Gwynedd.
The Fund opened on the 1st of September and closed on 30th September.
Revenue and capital funds were available between 2k and 250k to support projects that will lead to improving the quality of life of the residents and communities of Gwynedd.
85 applications with a value of over £3.7 million were received for the Fund, and 37 projects were successful.
Progress of Projects
There is good progress with 9 projects already completed and will be giving regular updates. Below is the background of two successful projects.
Cysylltu…Connecting - Community Arts Projects
Community Arts Projects received a Voluntary Sector Grant of £7,125 from Mantell Gwynedd funded via the #UKSPF Shared Prosperity Fund.
Artists, non-artists and health professionals from North Wales, Pembrokeshire, Turkey and Stoke participated in an innovative immersive and interactive experience including a 3 week Exhibition part funded by the grant.
6 multi arts workshops led to creation of an artistic expression of the Cysylltu concept and then to a public sharing and Exhibition at Pontio using paint, clay, music, film and dance to describe a journey anyone can take from isolation to connection via the creative arts to benefit mental health.
Project Director Ellen says: “Composing music again after several years of poor mental health has given me the opportunity to sound my own voice and gain confidence. I now look forward to taking Cysylltu to an even wider audience. We hope to do this via “play shops” where artists and non artists collaborate creatively to Sound Your Voice -Be Heard - Re-Connect - RECOVER!
Solar Panels – Neuadd Goffa Llanllyfni
Neuadd Goffa Llanllyfni received a Voluntary Sector Grant of £6,200 from Mantell Gwynedd for the installation of Solar Panels. The work was funded from the #UKSPF Shared Prosperity Fund. Neuadd Goffa was supported by Cyd Ynni (Rural Energy Developments company - DEG) on the project.
The Hall is a community hub for the village of Llanllyfni and the surrounding area and hosts cultural events along with various classes and is also home to Cylch Meithrin Llanllyfni.
Heulwen Jones said on behalf of Neuadd Goffa Llanllyfni Committee:
The welfare of the children in the Cylch Meithrin and providing them with a warm and cozy environment is a priority for us as a committee. But raising money to maintain the Hall and pay the bills is always a challenge. So these Solar Panels will make a world of difference to us and to everyone who uses the Hall, including Y Cylch! Thank you Mantell Gwynedd for the support'
Background
What is the Shared Prosperity Fund?The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and will provide £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.
In Wales, local areas must work with others within their region to deliver the Fund. The North Wales region includes the counties of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, the Isle of Anglesey and Wrexham. The local authorities in North Wales will work together to administer the UKSPF.
However, all fund decisions will be made locally in each area. Local authorities will decide which projects will receive money advised by a partnership of local stakeholders.
Applicants can submit an application to deliver projects in one or more local authority area. Each local authority area will determine whether or not they wish to support an application.
A total of £126.46 million has been allocated form the UKSPF to North Wales.
Allocation per Local Authority- Gwynedd - £24,423,747
- Anglesey - £16,081,937
- Conwy - £24,520,120
- Denbighshire - £25,64,958
- Flint - £13,102,933
- Wrexham - £22,684,205
The funding includes both capital and revenue money for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.
Each local authority will determine how they wish to select projects for UKSPF support. However, common considerations will include:
- the alignment of proposals with UKSPF priority investments and interventions;
- proposals' anticipated outputs and outcomes;
- additionality and alignment of proposed projects with current and planned activity;
- deliverability and the capacity / capability of the applicant (including awareness of legal and regulatory requirements)
- alignment with national, regional and especially local strategies, priorities and needs;
Local areas will consider the overall mix of activities proposed as well as individual proposals to ensure the needs of their localities are addressed and the objectives of the UKSPF investment priorities are addressed.
