Bids are being invited for a share of a new multi-million pound funding programme to support economic growth in Dundee.
Through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Dundee City Council has been allocated £5,608,964 to invest in local projects until March 2025.
The funding includes £4.6m to be targeted at the three main investment priorities of the UKSPF: Communities and Place; Supporting Local Business; and People and Skills.
In addition, nearly £1million will be provided to support the national adult numeracy programme Multiply.
A number of competitive challenge funds have been established and will be inviting bids for projects delivering in 2022/2023 from a range of organisations including community groups, public sector bodies, charities, community interest companies, academia, training providers and private firms.
This year’s funding round focuses on support for innovation facilities and activity, as well as funding for arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities and projects.
City Development convener Councillor Mark Flynn said: “Over the next three years, this funding will be invested in projects which support local businesses to grow and thrive, and which will also enable local partners across the city to share knowledge, expertise and resources.
“We will target the funding where it is needed most: building pride in place, supporting high-quality skills training, and delivering employment and productivity growth.”
Bids are also being sought for projects which will deliver high-level digital courses to address local skills needs in the city and which are required to boost the local economy. Projects which deliver courses designed to increase confidence with numbers will also be funded through the Multiply programme.
Councillor Flynn added: “We look forward to hearing from stakeholders looking to submit bids which support the three main priorities of the UKSPF, and which will have the highest likely impact in supporting local economic growth in Dundee.”
To find out more about the Fund and to make a bid before this round’s deadline of 5pm on Monday 5th December, please visit the UKSPF page on the Council website.
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
