UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Neath Port Talbot Grant Schemes
Neath Port Talbot Council has developed a range of grant schemes to build on our local challenges, strengths, needs and opportunities to ensure that all areas of our communities can access UK Shared Prosperity Fund to build pride in place and increase life chances.
The grant schemes have been developed to complement the Neath Port Talbot strategic anchor projects and other funding programmes e.g. Levelling Up Fund, City Deal.
Each grant scheme has specific eligibility criteria. Applicants should refer to the particular grant scheme guidance before applying.
Neath Port Talbot Grant Schemes
Maximum grant award
Up to 70% of costs, not exceeding £250,000 (excluding potential Strategic Acquisitions)
Aim of the fund
The aim of the Valleys & Villages Prosperity Fund is to support projects in Neath Port Talbot’s rural communities that address local need. The Fund will support projects that create sustainable growth in our rural communities and enhance our valleys and villages areas as places to live, visit and work.
Projects will need to address the priorities of:
- job creation
- health and well-being
- pride of place
- economic growth
Themes
The Fund will focus on the following themes, which have been identified as a priority in the regional Investment Plan
- Capital funding for improvements to town centres and high streets, including better accessibility for disabled people.
- Capital funding for new, or improvements to existing community and neighbourhood infrastructure projects including those that increase communities’ resilience to natural hazards, such as flooding, and investment in locally owned renewable energy generation and waste management to improve the transition to low carbon living.
- Creation of and improvements to local green spaces, community gardens, watercourses and embankments, along with incorporating natural features and biodiversity improvements into wider public space.
- Support for active travel enhancement and other small-scale green transport infrastructure projects, having regard to the Wales Transport Strategy.
- Funding for local sports facilities, tournaments, teams and leagues; to bring people together.
- Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups.
- Investment and support for digital infrastructure for local community facilities.
Eligible projects
The following are examples of the type of eligible activities that may be considered for funding:
- Commercial Property Grants
- Residential Units (Conversion from commercial)
- Green Infrastructure & Biodiversity
- Public realm
- Strategic Acquisitions
- Town Centre Markets
- Shop Frontage Schemes
- Digital Towns
- Active Travel
- Leisure & Recreational facilities
Application information
To discuss your proposed project and request an application form please email regeneration@npt.gov.uk
Application deadlines
Round 1 closing date to be confirmed
Heritage, Culture and Tourism Strategic Interventions
Offering up to 100% capital funding to public sector partners to deliver priority capital projects between £150,001 (minimum) and £250,000 (maximum).
Heritage, Culture and Tourism Small Scale Interventions
Offering up to 100% capital and/or revenue funding to public and third sector constituted groups between £5,000 (minimum) and 150,000 (maximum).
Heritage & Cultural Events
Revenue funding offering between 45% (private sector) and 100% (public & voluntary sector) of eligible expenditure between £5,000 minimum and £10,000 (maximum) relating to marketing, equipment and community participation at community and strategically important events within the county.
Aim of the fund
The aim of the Heritage, Culture, Tourism & Events Fund for public, private and voluntary sector partners to deliver priority heritage, culture and tourism projects and initiatives across Neath Port Talbot as identified in the Neath Port Talbot Council Corporate Plan.
It is recognised that large and small-scale events have a key role to play in enabling residents and visitors to come into contact with Neath Port Talbot’s distinct culture and heritage and play a key role in attracting visitors to the area. Therefore the Fund will also be accessible to event organisers in the public, private and voluntary sectors for events which align with the Neath Port Talbot place brand.
Themes
The Fund will focus on the following priorities;
- Restoration, conservation and acquisition of listed and historically important structures within the county. Widening access and accessibility of locations, attractions and structures which enable residents and visitors to interact with the heritage and culture of Neath Port Talbot.
- Enhancing and interpreting sites, trails and attractions of heritage and cultural interest to develop the understanding and appeal of the location/ site/ structure among residents and visitors. (All interpretation must be developed bilingually).
- Supporting volunteer, third sector and public organisations to strengthen participation in heritage and cultural activities in addition to initiatives to secure the future resilience of volunteer led organisation within the heritage and culture sectors.
- Supporting the delivery of infrastructure improvements on the ground which will strengthen the overall appeal of Neath Port Talbot as a sustainable visitor destination and encourage additional overnight stays within the area.
- Marketing activities which widen awareness of the heritage, culture and natural environment of Neath Port Talbot to local residents. Proposals must be for specific sites, locations or product only and should not relate to overarching destination marketing activities. All sites promoted must be accessible to the public.
- Undertaking feasibility studies to establish the business case for delivering specific investments or initiatives link to heritage, culture, tourism and events within the county.
- Creating a wide ranging portfolio of large and small scale events and festivals which highlight the importance of, and support the future growth of, local heritage, culture and environmental understanding within Neath Port Talbot and encourage overnight stays within the county.
Application information
To discuss your proposed project and request an application form please email hctefund@npt.gov.uk
Application deadlines
The funding panel will meet monthly, the project team will be able to advise on relevant deadlines.
Minimum grant award
£1,000
Maximum grant award
£100,000
Aim of the fund
The aim of the Sustainable Communities Growth Fund is to support local growth within our communities of Neath Port Talbot by increasing the support offered to address areas of need, with a focus on the themes of poverty and equality and promoting local activity for positive growth within our communities.
The fund would welcome applicants who seek to improve and enhance communities across Neath Port Talbot by
- improving community cohesion and safety,
- engaging young people,
- tackling poverty and the cost of living crisis.
The Fund will deliver activity that creates sustainable growth in our communities and enhance them as places to live, visit and work.
The Fund will provide financial support through the delivery of a £1m grant scheme which will support capital and revenue investments.
Themes
The Fund will focus on the following themes, which have been identified as a priority in the regional Investment Plan
- Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups.
- Community measures to reduce the cost of living, including through measures to improve energy efficiency, and combat fuel poverty and climate change.
Eligible projects
The following are examples of the type of eligible activities that may be considered for funding
- Cost of Living - Development of activities to support cost of living crisis and enhance support given by other funds and organisations e.g. food and fuel poverty activity, uniform banks, baby banks.
- Transport poverty - small-scale projects to help with transport poverty issues.
- Community Safety – funding to support the work of the Safer NPT Partnership in its aim to prevent and reduce crime across the borough.
- Digital Inclusion – funding to enhance support for digital inclusion working with community organisations.
- Youth Activity – support for young people including youth club development, outreach, youth shelters, youth cafes, skate parks.
- Equality – funding that addresses local community needs, aspirations and experiences in a wide range of areas (education, health and wellbeing, personal safety, employment, participation and living standards) regarding equalities.
- Welsh language development
Application information
To discuss your proposed project and request an application form please email scgf@npt.gov.uk
Application deadlines
Full applications must be submitted by: End of November.
Minimum grant award
£1,000
Maximum grant award
£65,000.00
Aim of the fund
The Third Sector Growth Fund is managed and delivered by Neath Port Talbot Council for Voluntary Service and provides grant support for voluntary organisations, charities, and social enterprises across Neath Port Talbot.
The Fund will create opportunities to bring people back into local community activity and build capacity in local communities and empower more grass roots activity.
Themes
The Fund will focus on the following themes, which have been identified as a priority in the regional Investment Plan
- W4 - Enhanced support for existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions that make up the local cultural heritage offer, including improvements to access to sites to counter the effects of isolation, particularly for older people and disabled people
- W6 - Support for local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities.
- W9 - Funding for impactful volunteering and/or social action projects to develop social and human capital in local places
- W11- Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups
Eligible projects
The following are examples of the type of eligible activities that may be considered for funding
- Provide increased opportunities for learning, training, and upskilling.
- Promote digital inclusion.
- Develop volunteering opportunities.
- Enhance volunteer capacity within organisations.
- Increase access to training.
- Develop and enhance green spaces.
- Develop new social enterprises and support existing and emerging social enterprises to develop and grow.
- Bring people and communities together.
Application information
To discuss your proposed project and request an application form please email grants@nptcvs.org.uk
Application deadlines
Round 1 closing date to be confirmed
The £2.8m Business Investment and Start Up Grants form part of Neath Port Talbot Council’s delivery of its allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Business Investment Grant
Minimum grant award
£500
Maximum grant award
£50,000
Aim of the fund
Neath Port Talbot CBC sees investment in new business start-ups, the development of existing businesses and the attraction of inward investors as critical to supporting local communities and the economy.
Investment in the development of local businesses is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of any venture, through building resilience, capacity, increasing productivity, improving skills and developing their flexibility to respond to the changing needs of the wider economy. Further, there is the need for investments that reduce businesses impact on the environment.
With such investment, Neath Port Talbot cultivates a more dynamic, innovative, greener and versatile economy, with a skilled and flexible workforce that is able to withstand the challenges that face the global economy over time.
Discretionary grants of between £500 and £50,000 are available, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Business Start Up Grant
Maximum grant award
£5000
Aim of the fund
The funding provided under the programme is to assist new start-up businesses to become established and to provide full time or part time employment for the applicant.
Applicants may claim up to £5,000 to help with start-up costs. This will be match funded at
- 100% for up to £2,000,
- 50% for between £2,000-£5,000.
Funds are discretionary. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis after assessing the grant eligibility criteria and the benefits of the grant to the business.
Application information
There is a two stage online application process:
- Expression of Interest
- Application
To discuss your proposed project please email spfbusiness@npt.gov.uk
Application deadlines
Round 1 launching soon.
Applying for Grant Schemes
- Applicants should initially ensure that their proposed activities do not duplicate the Anchor Projects or Stand Alone projects.
- Applicants will need to complete the relevant grant Application Form using the associated Guidance.
- Please specify in the email subject header to which grant scheme you are applying.
- You will receive email confirmation of receipt of your application.
- Applications will be assessed and applicants will be contacted for further details/clarification if necessary.
- Successful applicants will be notified of the funding decision via email.
- Funding Agreements will be issued including conditions of grant award.
The following documents are available to support the application process:
- Levelling Up White Paper
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Prospectus
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Wales interventions
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund: outputs and outcomes definitions
- Regional Investment Plan