Previous calls for UK Shared Prosperity Funding
City of York Council is excited to announce a funding opportunity to support growth in the Tech and Creative industries of the city of York, funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). There is up to £43,000 available to support this work.
We're seeking project proposals that will strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems and support businesses of all sizes (including sole traders) to development, grow and innovate.
This funding came via the E23 strand of UKSPF, Strengthening Local Entrepreneurial Ecosystems.
We're seeking projects from either single providers or a collaboration of partners, with the goal of fostering growth of the tech and creative industries, creating job opportunities, and cultivating an environment that nurtures innovation.
This funding presents a chance for successful providers to play a pivotal role in developing the York creative and tech ecosystem. It is expected your business will contribute not only to the economic development of the region but also provide valuable prospects for young individuals to build a career in these sectors.
The key focus areas are:
- innovation
- engagement with young people to enhance progression in the Creative and Tech Sectors
- local network enhancement
Funding outputs expected:
- 100 businesses receiving non-financial business support - must be face-to-face (but not necessarily one-to-one) and recognised by the businesses as helping them to develop
Funding outcomes expected:
- 25 businesses introducing new products, services or business collaborations
Outputs and outcomes will require evidence from the businesses and freelancers helped, and those businesses and freelancers must be trading in the City of York Council area.
Spring 2024 UKSPF funding
Businesses and organisations interested in delivering the project were asked to submit an application, outlining their project's potential impact on the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Successful proposals will align with our vision of promoting job creation, fostering innovation, supply chain links and creating a supportive network for businesses in York.
Proposals will be scored on:
- value for money - 25 points
- deliverability - 25 points
- impact - 25 points
- strategic fit - 25 points
Successful proposals must score at least a total of 70 points out of 100. For more information, see the Project Assurance Framework which is published online.
Applications closed on Monday 8 April 2024.
Autumn 2024 UKSPF funding
We set out a funding opportunity designed to support local markets and raise the profile of traders and retailer groups in York. Funded via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), there was a total of £53,700 available to support projects.
This funding came via the E16 strand of UKSPF, the Open Markets and Town Centre Retail and Service Sector.
Funding opportunities
We asked for projects from formal or informal traders’ associations or groups of traders - not individual businesses - that would:
- strengthen the activities of the existing traders and retailer networks in York
- create or support local markets
- offer business support and training
- encourage entrepreneurs and innovation
We wanted to help applicants work together as a group of traders or retailers to promote their local area. This included starting a new traders association where there currently wasn’t one, putting on local activities and events, or helping your organisation become more sustainable.
The kind of activities we were looking to support included:
- advice and help for retail businesses
- training for members of traders’ associations and groups to help their businesses grow
- activities organised by traders to support their local area
- increased profile of local businesses
- stronger trader and retailer networks and relationships
- better information sharing across local business communities
The funding award was a maximum of up to £10,000 per application. All UK SPF funded projects must be completed by Monday 31 March 2025.
Applications closed on Friday 4 October 2024.
Winter 2024 UKSPF funding
We called for artists to help improve Front Street, Acomb with a mural and transformation of benches.
There is up to £30,000 available to support the production of the mural and £8,000 for the transformation of the benches. In both cases, the available budget includes all costs for materials, preparation, labour, plant/access, and community engagement.
We were seeking an artist or artists to work with the local community to:
- develop and install a mural that will capture the spirit and sense of community for Acomb, potentially reflect the local heritage and nearby conservation area. The mural will be located at a newly created welcome gateway (at bottom of Cross Street on external facing wall approx. 8x7m), an “in principle” agreement with the building owners is in place and City of York Council is actively securing formal legal agreement.
- refurbish 8 Streetmaster wooden benches within the shopping area of Front Street. The benches are in reasonable condition and the armrests were modified for accessibility in early 2024. We want to inject some vibrancy and fun through their transformation. The benches could tell a story, form a trail, or be independent pieces of art. The bench size is c. 1.8m wide. Please note, Jubilee bench outside Podiatry Centre is not included.
Key focus areas:
- community – demonstrating a local understanding of Acomb.
- designs should avoid any advertisement, text or commercial imagery. The intention is to avoid the need for planning permission for mural by Local Planning Authority. Final designs will be reviewed with planning department to ensure planning permission is not required.
- engagement with young people, community and building owner/tenant to input ideas.
- incorporate new signage colours (leaf green RAL 6002) and new community brand logo in part (logo could be stencilled post works by artist as minimum)
- appropriate preparation of external wall and benches and use of high-quality anti-graffiti paints required, minimum weathering duration is 5-10 years
Proposals will be scored on:
- deliverability – timetable, Method statement, risk assessment - 25 points
- impact - engagement approach, experience and track record - 25 points
- strategic fit – support for Acomb Front Street Regeneration, fit to community aspirations, social value - 25 points
- value for money – materials, prep work, labour, engagement - 25 points
To be successful, applicants must have achieved a minimum score threshold of 70/100.
