Hertfordshire businesses from across the private, public and voluntary sectors were invited to apply for funding from Government’s UK Community Renewal Fund by 8am on 24th May.

Applications now closed.

The £220m fund was launched to enable communities across the country to trial new approaches and innovative ideas to support local people and businesses and address local challenges. The fund, announced in Government’s budget in March 2021, will pave the way for the new Shared Prosperity Fund, due to launch next year.

In line with its ‘levelling up’ agenda, Government has identified 100 places as being a priority for the UK Community Renewal Fund. While none of them are in Hertfordshire, organisations from places outside of this list are still welcome to apply for up to £3m per ‘place’ (i.e. per district or borough, though multi-place and county-wide bids are also accepted). Applicants can include private, public and voluntary sector organisations. Funding is for 2021/22 only, and activity must end by March 2022.

Hertfordshire County Council is working in partnership with Hertfordshire LEP to manage the application, appraisal, contracting and delivery phases for the fund locally.

Projects proposals are encouraged from both urban and rural areas and should align with the four national themes below, as well as local priorities:

• Investment in skills
• Investment in local business
• Investment in communities and place
• Supporting people into employment

Information regarding local priorities can be found within the following evidence base: Hertfordshire’s Recovery Plan 2020, Hertfordshire LEP Strategic Economic Plan, Hertfordshire Local Skills Report 2021, Hertfordshire Skills & Labour Market Review 2020, Hertfordshire Skills and Employment Dashboard, Hertfordshire Local Transport Plan 2018 - 2031, and Sustainable Hertfordshire 2020.

Application process

Hertfordshire County Council is now seeking bids from organisations wishing to deliver projects with support from the UK Community Renewal Fund.

Step 1:

Applicants are advised to read the following documents to ensure they are eligible to apply:

• UK Community Renewal Fund Prospectus
• Technical Note for Project Applicants and Deliverers
• Application Form

The prospectus provides details on the process and selection criteria that will be used to assess bids.

Step 2:

An Expression of Interest Form should be submitted to info@hertfordshirelep.co.uk no later than 12pm on 5th May 2021.

Expression of Interest Form

Step 3:

A webinar was held on 10th May 2021, 9.30 – 11am, to provide additional information with regard to key project criteria and the bidding process. Download webinar resources below:

UKCRF webinar - presentation slides

UKCRF webinar - Q&A transcript

Step 4:

A completed Application Form should be submitted to info@hertfordshirelep.co.uk no later than 8am on 24th May 2021.

Application Form

Key dates

If you have any further enquiries, please contact Sam Hudson, Contracts Manager, at sam.hudson@hertfordshirelep.co.uk, or call 03030 505102.