Stockport community projects to benefit from a share of £.1.5m funding to support local priorities and Town of Culture programme
Stockport community groups and organisations are celebrating after receiving a share of £1.5m from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
A total of 27 community projects will benefit from the first round of bids, which will empower our communities and celebrate all that Stockport has to offer, supporting the boroughs Town of Culture programme and helping to reduce carbon.
From a writing project for young people to volunteering and, improving green spaces, a variety of different projects will benefit, providing opportunities for everyone to get involved.
Stockport Council was awarded a substantial allocation of funding for the Communities and Place strand of the UK Strategic Priorities Fund (UKSPF). The UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK government’s ambitious Levelling Up agenda and a significant part of its support for places across the UK.
This investment reaffirms the government’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities, and creating vibrant and sustainable places for people across the nation.
Under the Communities and Place strand, the UK Government and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has committed a total of £2.4 million over 3 years to be distributed among projects throughout Stockport.
This latest phase of funding was awarded after a competitive bidding process, ensuring that the most impactful and transformative projects receive the support they need.
This latest announcement comes off the back of £100k funding earlier this month, from the Creative Commissions programme, with £50,000 of funding received from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and £50,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Stockport was announced as Greater Manchester Town of Culture in May 2023. Since then, there has been a diverse range of projects and events taking place across the borough, supporting the four key pillars of the Town of Culture programme: Stockport Moves, Makes, Sounds and Tastes.
The Town of Culture programme has proved to be popular with residents and visitors, with a number of exciting events planned. More information can be found in the Events Calendar.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, commented: “This is great news and congratulations to all the recipients who have put some great bids forward to empower our communities. This UKSPF funding will help us to deliver on the ambition and priorities set out in our Borough Plan and will support our Town of Culture plans. I look forward to seeing the projects delivered and enjoyed by local people.”
Councillor Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Sport, added: “This latest round of funding will really benefit the local community and will support a wide variety of projects for people to get involved with. It’s a huge boost to our already successful Town of Culture programme and will create activities that everyone can take part in and environments where everyone can flourish.”
To find out more about the Town of Culture programme, visit the dedicated website.
Notes to Editors
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.’ The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.
The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit: UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This project has been made possible thanks to Greater Manchester Combined Authority securing funding to deliver UKSPF projects, which forms part of the Government’s wider Levelling Up agenda.
