Voluntary, community, and partnership organisations are being invited to apply for funding under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has been allocated £88.4m of funding over the last three years, with more than £7.2 million going to Dudley borough since April 2022.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) was set up by the former government to build pride in place and increase life chances in the UK.

Dudley Council has a pot of £355,000 to grant to community groups under the UKSPF community and place investment priority, with funding to be focused on the themes of healthy, safe, inclusive communities and thriving places.  

Projects must be delivered and funding spent before the end of March 2026.

The scope of these themes includes improving health and wellbeing, reducing crime and the fear of crime, bringing communities together, tackling homelessness, developing visitor economy and High Street / town centre improvements.

To date, the funding has enabled Dudley Council to invest more into regeneration and infrastructure for town centres, parks and green spaces. It has also enabled the council to support local business startups, enterprises, and community and voluntary programmes.

Over the last 12 months there have been over 50 activities and events delivered under the funding stream for a wide range of groups and projects.

Highlights have included Brierley Hill Community Forum’s ‘park history and volunteer enhancement project’, which included an archaeology dig, The Just Straight Talk heritage and community events, including trail walks and events and the CreArt ‘Kulture Festival’, with events celebrating culture and heritage. There has also been the Priory Community Centre’s Intergenerational project and drone video of the Wren’s Nest Nature Reserve and the ‘Diva Dudley’ a community choir.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said:

“During the last 12 months the UKSPF funding has seen more than £1.3 million in grants paid to Dudley borough businesses, the delivery of more than 50 cultural and heritage events engaging more than 500 residents, and more than 2,000 skill interventions including training and helping people into work.

“Working closely with West Midlands Combined Authority, we are now able to start taking funding applications for community grants for 2025-2026. Groups and organisations from the voluntary and charity sectors can apply for this funding, which will be used to support more community events and activities here in Dudley borough.”

Further information including application process for 2025-2026 grants is now available.  Applications must be submitted by 4 July 2025.