Colchester has been awarded a full allocation of £1.362 million of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), following the approval of the Investment Plan by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
The Shared Prosperity Fund is a new three-year fund, running from 2022/23. The Shared Prosperity Fund replaces the European Structural and Investment Funds. This new Shared Prosperity Fund will fund 17 projects, provided by a range of partners that contribute to the SPF themes of business support, community and health.
The projects supported are wide-reaching and include:
- Community Supermarket: a scheme based in Greenstead run by Essex County Council that builds on the work of food banks, by offering subsidised groceries, providing choice and dignity for those moving away from crisis support. The Community Supermarket supports those facing ongoing or temporary hardship and puts money back in residents’ pockets – freeing up disposable income to boost the local economy.
- The Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme: a scheme delivered by The Change Portfolio that will increase the safety of victims experiencing domestic abuse as well as working with perpetrators to rehabilitate them and give them the tools to stop their abusive behaviour.
- Construction Innovation Network: Colchester Institute will develop and deliver bespoke digital information events, helping small- and medium-sized construction companies to navigate sophisticated software for tender and contracts as well as on site, helping them to future-proof themselves.
- A Place to Grow: run by Abberton Rural Training, this scheme builds and extends on the existing programme. A Place to Grow provides basic skills courses and interventions to help those furthest from education and employment, including vulnerable and isolated people and Wounded and Injured Service personnel and Veterans. This allows them to bridge the gap in their skills. Providing a safe space for activities including gardening and crafts, alongside immediate access to mental health counselling and learning coping mechanisms, the scheme allows participants to bridge the gap in their skills and eventually seek new employment opportunities.
The Shared Prosperity Fund sits alongside other programmes to boost Colchester's economy and tackle local inequalities, including the successful £19.2m Town Deal Funding to boost Colchester’s economy, create jobs, improve connectivity, develop housing and improve health outcomes. By building on the strong foundations set by other levelling up activities the Shared Prosperity Fund will further boost Colchester’s opportunities to realise its economic and skills development, place-making, inward investment, and regeneration ambitions.
Page last reviewed: 13 January 2023