UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Burnley Community Grants Programme

📖 About the Programme

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to level up opportunity and prosperity while addressing deep-seated geographical inequalities. It focuses on improving pride in local places, empowering communities, strengthening social fabric, and enhancing life chances.

Burnley Council is committed to supporting creative and ambitious community-led initiatives that align with the fund's mission-led themes across three priority areas:

• Communities and Place
• Support for Local Businesses
• People and Skills

For the 2025-2026 period, the Burnley Community Grants Programme will focus on the priority area Communities and Place.

🎯 Programme Aims

The primary goal of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is to:

• Restore a sense of community, local pride, and belonging.
• Build pride in place and increase life chances.
• Improve the social and physical fabric of communities, fostering local pride and enhancing health outcomes.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applications tackling or supporting the following key priorities will be considered favorably:

• Support for older people: isolation, confidence building, befriending.
• Young people: mental health, isolation, confidence building, counseling.
• Hard-to-reach/under-represented communities (e.g., BAME, women, LGBTQ+, refugees).
• Increasing opportunities to participate in physical activity.

📊 Outputs to be Supported

Applications should aim to deliver one or more of the following outputs:

• Improved amenities/facilities (e.g., energy efficiencies, access improvements, redecorating, flood protection).
• Tourism or heritage assets created or improved.
• Local events or activities supported (e.g., community events).
• Tournaments/teams supported (e.g., increased participation in physical activities).
• Organisations receiving grants or non-financial support.
• Volunteering opportunities supported.

🌟 Expected Outcomes

Projects delivering the above outputs will result in:

• Increased users of facilities/amenities.
• Increased visitor numbers.
• Improved digital connectivity for premises.
• Enhanced engagement numbers (e.g., social contact, skills awareness, neighborhood improvements).
• Community-led arts, cultural, heritage, and creative programs.
• Creation of volunteering opportunities.

🔑 Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) Criteria

Applications should demonstrate a contribution to the following ABCD principles:

• Improving health and wellbeing of local people.
• Supporting real people’s dreams and ideas.
• Empowering communities to shape their own futures.
• Encouraging creativity and energy to spark change.
• Building connections and relationships.
• Promoting community-centered investment and regeneration.
• Supporting social entrepreneurs and businesses.
• Boosting confidence through inspiring activities.
• Empowering access to arts and culture.

💡 Additional Focus Areas

Applications are welcome that address needs in the following areas:

• Increasing resilience and improving mental wellbeing.
• Supporting vulnerable residents (e.g., those with long-term health conditions).
• Promoting partnership between communities and statutory services.
• Reducing social isolation and improving health and wellbeing.
• Supporting activities addressing the impact of COVID-19.
• Encouraging the use of digital technology.

💰 Benefits

• Awards ranging from £5,000 to £20,000 will be considered.
• Activity and spending must be completed by 31st March 2026.
• Monitoring will be proportionate to the approved amount and conducted at agreed intervals.
• Feedback will be provided for unsuccessful applications, which may reapply in future rounds (subject to available funds).

📅 Application Process

Applications should:

1. Match the strategic aims and objectives of the fund.
2. Address one or more of the outputs, outcomes, and ABCD criteria outlined above.
3. Include a contingency plan to address potential disruptions (e.g., health or weather conditions).

Requirements:

• Applicants must be a constituted voluntary community faith group, registered charity, or not-for-profit organization with appropriate governance.
• Applicants must have their own bank account with a minimum of two unrelated signatories.
• BPRCVS may visit groups to monitor policies and governance structures.
• BPRCVS offers support throughout the application process.

📅 Key Dates

• Date Published: June 21, 2025
• Application Deadline: June 27, 2025

🌐 Contact Information

For more details, visit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Burnley Community Grants Programme.
To apply, download the application form.

🏢 Sponsor Organisation

Burnley, Pendle & Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service (BPRCVS)

This opportunity is a fantastic chance for community groups to make a meaningful impact in Burnley and Padiham. Don't miss the chance to apply!

• Awards from £5,000 up to £20,000 will be considered.
• There will be no appeals or deferred applications. Applications will be either successful or unsuccessful. Unsuccessful applications will receive feedback. If unsuccessful you may apply again in further rounds (subject to available funds).
• Activity and spend must be completed by 31st March 2026.
• Monitoring will be proportionate to the amount approved and at intervals on an agreed schedule