Information from the West of England Combined Authority:

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is collating bids into the new UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF).

This fund has been introduced by the UK Government for 2021/22 to support people and communities most in need across the UK.

The fund, which totals £220 million, also intends to help the UK move smoothly away from the EU structural fund programme and is a pilot programme to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

As lead for the fund in the region, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is calling on councils, universities, colleges, third sector organisations and others to submit applications for UKCRF funding by midnight Friday 21 May 2021.

Eligible projects must fall within the themes of investment in skills, local business or community and place, and located in the WECA area (Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire area).

How do I apply?

• All prospective applicants should read section 5.2 of the prospectus before applying.
• Bid must be submitted to the email address: info@westofengland-ca.gov.uk, using the UK Community Renewal Application Fund Application Form.
• Applicants should use “UK Community Renewal Fund Application [Organisation name]” in the subject heading of their emails.
• Bids submitted in any other format will not be accepted.

After the application window, we will appraise all applications and produce a shortlist of projects up to a maximum of £3 million per place for submission to the UK government. The UK government will select projects in line with the selection criteria set out in the Community Renewal Fund Prospectus.