Thanet council has been allocated £1.15 million of government funding to invest in the voluntary and community sector, create employment opportunities and support volunteering and a community champions initiative.
There is also a proposal to create a small grants programme to support volunteering and social action projects.
The money is through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which is part of the Levelling Up agenda intended to reduce inequalities between communities.
Cabinet members at Thanet council will consider a report at their meeting on Thursday 15 June, which outlines plans for the funding.
The proposals have three priorities:
Community and Place
Supporting Local Businesses
People and Skills
The aim is to tackle some of the challenges facing the communities in Thanet, with a focus on projects that will have the biggest impact in each location, within each priority.
The initiatives will be delivered through a phased approach with Community and Place projects in 2023-24 and Support for Business and People and Skills to follow in the next financial year.
Cllr Ruth Duckworth, Cabinet member for Regeneration and Property, said: “The Shared Prosperity funding gives us an opportunity to think differently about how we approach the challenges facing some of our communities. This funding is limited, but it does allow us to focus activity where it is most needed.
“We are keen to work hand in hand with local community organisations and residents with a passion for their local community to help us deliver this funding in a meaningful way.”
Funding will include:
£20,000 to commission detailed mapping of the voluntary and community sector sector in Thanet, including an understanding of their needs and challenges
£50,000 to work with local communities to identify projects and investments that would be most effective at delivering positive change and investment
Small Grants programme Budget £245,965 to fund local social action projects and activities and support local projects
Community Champions programme Budget 2023-24 – £153,988 Budget 2024-25 – £78,004 -to build a Community Champion, and Voluntary and Community Sector network
Capital Investment Budget 2023-24 – £50,000 Budget 2024-25 – £150,000 to engage with community led spaces to support them to enhance facilities/offer to meet the needs of their neighbourhoods
Growing Social Economy Budget 2024-25 – £100,000 to provide opportunities to work with focus neighbourhoods to reach those most in need of support into employment. Support existing social enterprises and community businesses to engage those residents furthest from the labour market into projects, employment or volunteering.
Employment Support for Inactive People 2024-25 – £100,000 to link people directly to key employment opportunities including creative and digital in Margate and green and maritime in Ramsgate. Develop opportunities to engage and train people to be employed by the visitor and night time economy.
Enrichment and Volunteering Activities Budget 2024-25 – £105,514 to create volunteering opportunities within the most deprived areas.
Green Skills Budget 2024-25 – £100,000 to identify local people who can connect to existing provision including wind farms and also provide early engagement with Thanet’s Levelling Up Funded Green Campus and Green Port projects to support an increase in employment locally.
