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.
