UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025-26
The UKSPF 2025-26 Transition Year will support UK Government Mission delivery with a specific focus on economic growth across the three priority areas of Communities & Place, Supporting Local Business and People & Skills.
The Fund’s mix of revenue and capital funding will ensure places deliver directly on the foremost Mission to kickstart economic growth.
The UKSPF 2025-26 aims to support activities from April 2025 to March 2026, including the continuation of some existing UKSPF activity where appropriate.
The Neath Port Talbot UKSPF allocation from April 2025 to March 2026 is £14.3 million
UKSPF 2025-26 Investment Priorities
Each Priority has associated Themes and Sub Themes as indicated below:
UKSPF Priority: Communities & Place
| Theme 1: | Healthy, safe and inclusive communities |
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| Theme 2: | Thriving Places |
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UKSPF Priority: Supporting Local Business
| Theme 1: | Support for business |
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| Sub-themes: |
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UKSPF Priority: People & Skills
| Theme 1: | Employability |
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| Sub-themes: |
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| Theme 2: | Skills |
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UKSPF 2025-26 Neath Port Talbot Project Delivery
To ensure a strategic approach to delivery with a smooth transition and delivery at pace to commence from 1st April 2025, Neath Port Talbot Council is aligned to the South West Wales regional strategic approach with local determination and delivery.
Delivery is based on a strategic Anchor Project approach with five Council led Anchor projects to deliver key priorities for our area:
- Community
- Place
- Business
- Employability
- Skills
The Community, Place and Business Anchor Projects will include Third Party Grant Schemes to award funding to public, private, community and third sector organisations.
Neath Port Talbot Third Party Grant Schemes:
Neath Port Talbot UKSPF Community Prosperity Fund
Total fund: £1m
- Minimum grant award: £5,000
- Maximum grant award: £50,000
Aim of the Fund
The aim of the NPT UKSPF Community Prosperity Fund is to provide financial support for healthy, safe and inclusive communities.
The Fund’s scope includes improving health and wellbeing, reducing crime and the fear of crime, bringing communities together and tackling homelessness.
The £1m NPT Community Prosperity Fund will support capital and revenue investments.
The Fund will focus on the following themes which have been identified as a priority within the NPT Corporate Plan, UKSPF Investment Plan and are aligned to the UKSPF investment priorities:
- Improve health and wellbeing
- Reduce crime and the fear of crime
- Bringing communities together
- Tackling homelessness
- Tackling poverty
- Access to Services
- Community Safety
- Environment and Green Community Initiatives
Applications are invited for eligible projects across the county borough.
Levels of Grant
Financial support will be made available via competitive funding calls for constituted eligible community groups to deliver capital and revenue projects (or a combination of both capital and revenue projects).
The grant threshold is between £5,000 - £50,000.
Larger applications of up to £100,000 will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the funding panel.
Eligible Projects
The following are examples of the type of eligible activities that may be considered for funding:
- Funding for new, or improvements to existing, community and neighbourhood infrastructure including local green spaces
- Support for active travel enhancement and other small-scale green transport infrastructure projects
- Funding for innovative community crime prevention initiatives
- Funding for impactful volunteering and/or social action
- Funding for local sports facilities
- Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for community groups
- Community measures to reduce the cost of living, including measures to improve energy efficiency, and combat fuel poverty and climate change
- Funding to support relevant feasibility studies
- Investment and support for digital infrastructure for local community facilities
- Support for community activities to improve health and wellbeing
Eligible Organisations
- Constituted Voluntary and Community Groups
- Registered Charities
- Not for profit organisations
- Social Enterprises
- Local branches of national third sector organisations can apply using the parent body’s Constitution
- Town and Community Councils can apply for community projects that are additional to normal statutory responsibilities which will benefit the community
Indicative Timetable (subject to change):
| Fund opens with a time limited open call for Expressions of Interest and Full Applications | 1st April 2025 |
| Closing date for Expressions of Interest | Friday 9th May 2025 |
| Closing date for Full Applications | Friday 30th May 2025 (midday) |
| Assessment of Applications | Following 30th May deadline |
| Funding Panel (decisions made) | End June 2025 |
| Delivery period | July - 31st December 2025 |
Application Deadline
Full funding guidance to follow.
Please email communityprosperityfund@npt.gov.uk for further information.
Neath Port Talbot UKSPF Business Prosperity Fund
The Business Prosperity Fund will be open to receive applications from April 2025 and will offer capital and revenue funding for projects via the following two strands:
- Business Investment Grant.
- Local Business Priority Fund.
Total Fund for both strands - £1,250,000
Strand 1 – Business Investment Grant/Start-up Grant
- Min grant award: £500.00
- Max grant award: £10,000
Strand 2 - Local Business Priority Fund
- Min grant award: £25,000
- Max grant award: £100,000
Aim of the Fund
To support start-ups, existing businesses and potential inward investors to deliver projects and investments that contribute to the following Council’s priorities:
- Business growth and development by attracting new customers, introducing new products/services, diversifying operations by expanding into new geographic markets or sectors, etc
- Commercial Property improvement to encourage property owners and occupiers to improve the quality and quantity of commercial premises
- Improved operational efficiency and productivity of businesses, i.e. Introducing new software or apps, investing in a website, purchasing new machinery and equipment, etc
- Job creation and safeguarding through project investment in business operations
- Encourage Innovation through supporting businesses in the Research, Development and Innovation sector
- Diversification of the local economy by supporting businesses to move into new markets
- Development of local supply chains by encouraging businesses to explore local supplier options
- Local Business Priority Fund - aimed at supporting projects and investments that contribute to the Council’s priorities for economic growth. Projects requiring higher level of funding.
Level of Grant
Strand 1 - Business Investment Grant/Start-up Grant
- Grants of between £500 and £10,000 are available.
Strand 2 - Local Business Priority Fund
- Grants of between £25,000 and £100,000 are available.
There is a limited allocation of grant funding, which will be awarded on a competitive basis
The level of grant awarded is calculated on the basis of the following:
- Percentage of the eligible costs (net of VAT), and
- The number of jobs created and/or safeguarded by the project as follows:
- £5,000 per full-time @ 30+ hours per week
- £2,500 per part-time job of 16-29 hours per week
Eligible Costs
The following capital items can be supported by the grant:
- Plant, machinery and equipment that increase capacity, productivity, reduce energy consumption, etc
- Measures directly supporting innovation such as test bed or demonstration innovations; laboratory and testing facilities; development of ideas for new or improved products, processes and services; accessing information and expertise on new materials, etc
- IT infrastructure and hardware that supports the adoption of new technologies in the business, improves operational efficiency and processes, supports changes in working patterns, etc
- Works to premises to increase capacity, support diversification, or measures that reduce energy consumption
NB: Some capital items such as mobile equipment, office furniture, vehicles, etc., are not eligible.
The following revenue costs can be supported by the grant:
- Integration of IT systems to support improvements in operational efficiency and processes
- Changes in working practices to improve efficiencies
- Development of marketing and e-marketing strategies to align with changes in customer buying behaviour, targeting new customer markets or attract new customers
- Feasibility studies to assess development opportunities.
Software that enables the business to improve efficiency, increase capacity, manage stock, integrate business processes, or manage new ways of working - Audit and registration fees for accreditations supporting business growth, improved operational processes, diversification into new sectors, etc
- Product certification and testing
- Staff training that enhances skills, workforce flexibility, etc
Eligible Organisations
Commercial businesses including social enterprises.
Application Deadline
Strand 2 - Local Business Priority Fund - 14th April 2025
For more information, please visit Local Business Priority Fund 2.
Neath Port Talbot UKSPF Place Prosperity Fund
The Place Prosperity Fund will be open to receive applications from April 2025 and will offer capital and revenue funding for projects via the following two strands:
- Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Events
- Regeneration Capital Projects
Total Fund for both strands - £2m
Strand 1 – Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Events
Max grant award:
- Up to £250,000 for Heritage, Culture and Tourism Strategic Interventions
- Up to £150,000 for Heritage, Culture and Tourism Small Scale Interventions
- Up to £10,000 for Heritage and Cultural Events
Aims
To support projects that invest in our local heritage and culture (including the arts), which have a positive impact on wellbeing, social cohesion, tackling isolation and facilitating access to services.
Eligible Projects
| Fund Priorities | Eligible Project Activities |
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| 1. Restoration, conservation and acquisition of listed and historically important structures within the county. |
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| 2. 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. |
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| 3. 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). |
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| 4. Supporting volunteer, third sector and public organisations to strengthen participation in heritage, arts and cultural activities in addition to initiatives to secure the future resilience of volunteer led organisation within the heritage arts and culture sectors. |
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| 5. 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. |
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| 6. Marketing activities which widen awareness of the heritage, arts, 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. |
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| 7. Undertaking feasibility studies to establish the business case for delivering specific investments or initiatives link to heritage, arts, culture, tourism and events within the county. |
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| 8. 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, arts, culture and environmental understanding within Neath Port Talbot and encourage overnight stays within the county. |
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Eligible Organisations and Level of Grant
Intervention 1: Heritage, Culture and Tourism Strategic Interventions
| Who Can Apply | Intervention Rate | Type of Funding | Minimum Grant | Maximum Grant |
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| Public Sector | Up to 100% of project cost | Capital | £150,001 | £250,000 |
Intervention 2: Heritage, Culture and Tourism Small Scale Interventions
| Who Can Apply | Intervention Rate | Type of Funding | Minimum Grant | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Up to 100% of project cost | Capital and Revenue | £100 | £150,000 |
Intervention 3: Heritage and Cultural Events
| Who Can Apply | Intervention Rate | Type of Funding | Maximum Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
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Up to 100% of project cost | Revenue costs relating to marketing, equipment and community participation at community and strategically important events within the county. | £10,000 |
Strand 2 – Regeneration Capital Projects
Aims
This strand seeks to address challenges in our communities such as the shortage of quality housing, commercial properties and public facilities across Neath Port Talbot. The fund aims to create sustainable growth in our communities and enhance them as places to visit, work and live.
Eligible Projects and Level of Grant
- Residential Units - To convert floor-space on upper floors of commercial premises into new residential accommodation. (HMO’s not eligible). Grant awards up to a maximum of £20k per two-bedroom unit and £15k per one bedroom unit
- Commercial Property Renovation Projects – designed to bring vacant properties back into use or to increase or improve current capacity. Both internal and external works are eligible for funding up to a maximum amount of £250,000 per property
- Green Infrastructure – projects that promote biodiversity which could include community gardens, green roofs/walls, pocket parks, street trees, wildflower areas, sustainable urban drainage systems. Up to £250,000 per project
- Renewables / Upgrade Projects – funding is available for standalone interventions or wider upgrade projects that enhance energy efficiency e.g. PV panels, installation of ground source of air heat pumps, electric vehicle charge points. Up to £100,000 per project
- Public Realm Improvements – small scale enhancements that align with local regeneration activity and where there is a demonstrable social and economic impact e.g. removal of dropping of curbs for access and egress, widening of pavement areas to provide outdoor seating/amenity areas, permanent planters etc. Up to £250,000 per project
- Community Markets – development and enabling of local markets for the provision of produce, craft, food and value-added projects. Funding available for the provision of permanent electricity supply to enable market trading, purchase of stalls, stands etc. Up to £100,000 per project
- Digital Towns – enhancement of the digital towns agenda through provision of capital items to support Wi-Fi analytics and Lora Wan networks. Up to £250,000 per project
- Active Travel Projects – facilitating active travel routes through provision of bicycle storage, lockers and hygiene facilities in commercial premises. Up to £250,000 per project
- Recreational facilities – provision of outdoor play facilities, multi-use games areas and outdoor recreational pursuits. Up to £250,000 per project
- Feasibility Studies / Surveys / Plans / Drawings for the development of future capital projects – funding is available to support the design and development of capital projects to enable them to move to the next stage of work e.g. to enable procurement, apply for planning permission or further funding. Up to £50,000 per project. (Full details of the planned project / vision will need to be outlined in the funding application)
Eligible Organisations
- Local authorities / town councils
- Commercial / residential property owners / landowners / owner-occupiers
- Community organisations
Indicative Timetable (subject to change)
| Fund opens with a time limited open call for Expressions of Interest and Full Applications | 1st April 2025 |
| Closing date for Expressions of Interest | Friday 9th May 2025 |
| Closing date for Full Applications | Friday 30th May 2025 (midday) |
| Assessment of Applications | Following 30th May deadline |
| Funding Panel (decisions made) | End June 2025 |
| Delivery period | July - 31st December 2025 |
ALL PROJECTS MUST BE COMPLETED BY 31ST JANUARY 2026.
Please e-mail place@npt.gov.uk for further information.
Useful links
UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025 - 26 Technical note - this provides a comprehensive overview of the Fund and can be found at UK Shared Prosperity Fund 2025-26: Technical note - GOV.UK