Businesses in Derbyshire encouraged to bid for funding to help people get back into work and boost local economy

The government has chosen Derbyshire County Council as the lead authority in the county to deliver the national Community Renewal Fund which was set up to support those most in need, provide people with better skills and tackle barriers to employment.

Derbyshire Dales and High Peak are two of the 100 areas prioritised for access to the fund, based on an index of economic measures around productivity, household income, unemployment, skills and population density – although other places can apply.

From April 2021 to March 2022, up to £3 million has been allocated by the government for projects in Derbyshire’s priority areas with bids welcomed from local authorities, public sector organisations, higher and further education institutions, charities and private businesses.

The funding hopes to help pilot new approaches and innovative ideas at a local level to support employment and disadvantaged communities.

Derbyshire County Council are inviting applications for funding for projects, now that the bidding process is officially open.

The local authority is keen to support projects that will secure investment in skills, through work-based training, upskilling and reskilling along with investment for local business to create more job opportunities, develop innovation and implement decarbonisation measures.

Funding is also aimed to support investment in communities, focusing on projects that specialise in feasibility studies for delivering net-zero/local energy, promoting culture-led regeneration, along with improving green spaces and preserving important local assets.

The investment will also be awarded to projects with support people into employment, identifying barriers to jobs and helping people develop basic skills for sustainable work.

Director of Economy, Transport and Environment for Derbyshire County Counci Tim Gregory said: “We welcome this opportunity to bring more government funding into Derbyshire to boost skills and employment, improve quality of life, aid regeneration and support our ambition to cut emissions from the Derbyshire economy to net zero by 2050.”

Organisations have until midnight on May 10, 2021 to submit an application.

The government will then announce which projects have been successful in late July and all projects must be delivered and complete by March 31, 2022.

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