UK Shared Prosperity Fund Annual Report

An annual update on a multi-million pound funding programme to support economic growth in Dundee will be considered by councillors.

Through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Dundee City Council has been allocated £5,608,963 to invest in local projects until March 2025. 

The funding includes over £4.6m to be targeted at the three key themes of Local Business Support, People and Skills and Communities and Place. 

In addition, nearly £1million is being provided to support the national adult numeracy programme Multiply.

Councillors on the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee will hear that a series of challenge funds have invited organisations to bid for funding to support projects across a range of interventions.

Committee convener Cllr Steven Rome said: “This report shows how funding is being invested in projects which support local businesses to grow and thrive, while also strengthening partnerships across the city.

“Funding is being targeted where it is needed most: building pride in place, supporting high-quality skills training, and delivering employment and productivity growth.

“There has been an enthusiastic response to the call for bids from across sectors in Dundee.

“I am also pleased to see the impact of the Multiply project as it delivers numeracy skills for adults through a series of innovative projects.”

There have been four rounds of challenge funds with a focus on support for the visitor economy, investment in innovation infrastructure, support for the social enterprise sector, the development of digital skills programmes and delivery of Multiply.

Councillors will hear that the challenges have funded 28 projects across five interventions.

These include: 

• MSIP Ltd:  providing funding to support the purchase of equipment to create a Maker’s Space within their Innovation Labs
• University of Dundee:  to support the development of the Innovation Hub for Life Science spin-outs and start-ups
• V&A Dundee:  Stories from the Building Exhibition, supporting the capital costs of installing a new semi-permanent exhibition at V&A Dundee, informing visitors about the building itself and its construction
• Unicorn Preservation Society:  providing feasibility funding to support the next stage of their Project Safe Haven capital project
• The Circle Ltd:  funding to support the development of the Social Enterprise/Not for Profit sector in the city
• Dundee & Angus College:  funding to deliver a series of digital skills training with a particular focus on data – Data for Everyone
• Multiply:  funding to seven third sector organisations to deliver a range of projects focusing on the Multiply programme, including Barnardo's, Dundee Carers Centre, HELM, Dundee International Women’s Centre, Enable Scotland, Lead Scotland and Dundee Science Centre.

Partnership and delivery approaches also include ongoing support for the city’s Employment Pathway, capital support for district centres including Lochee, Stobswell and Perth Road.

Events like the Dundee Jazz Festival have been supported, as well as a regional broadband voucher scheme.

The council is also working with partners through the local Tourism Leadership Group to market the city to visitors as well as promoting the region to the travel trade market.

The committee meets on Monday April 22.

• Share this page:
• Share On Twitter
• Share On Facebook
• Share On LinkedIn