Norwich secures £750,000 funding boost to empower local communities

Awarded by Norwich City Council through central government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), this funding builds on the success of the £1.6 million already allocated between 2022 and 2025. The new funding will support fourteen carefully selected projects that align with the government's latest UKSPF priorities: strengthening communities and places, supporting local businesses, and enhancing people’s skills.

Extending successful community-led projects

Two established projects will receive extended funding to continue their impactful work:

• Brighter Futures (run by Future Projects): Having already helped 105 unemployed individuals into work, training, or volunteering, this programme will now expand its reach to support even more people facing employment barriers.

Daniel Childerhouse chief executive of Future Projects, said:

 

“We’re absolutely thrilled to continue this work, offering flexible, creative support where it’s needed most—and changing lives in the process.”

• MENTA (in collaboration with FUSE): Offering essential start-up advice, training, and mentoring for businesses, social enterprises, and entrepreneurs, this initiative has already equipped over 250 individuals and start-ups with crucial skills to launch and grow their ventures.

Willow Farrell, chief executive of FUSE, said:“We are delighted to be working with FUSE and to see the extension of UKSPF funding for enterprise support within Norwich. This vital investment ensures that new, emerging, and existing microbusinesses—alongside those exploring social enterprise—continue to receive the guidance and resources they need to thrive.”

Supporting a diverse range of community initiatives

The funding will also boost several other key initiatives, including:

• BITC (Business in the Community): Business Encounter Schools in East Earlham, working with education providers to bridge the gap between business and education and enhance social mobility.

• INTERACT: A multi-agency intervention supporting those at risk of falls.
• Clean streets: Additional resources dedicated to improving the cleanliness of the city and its neighbourhoods.
• Community safety: Increased capacity to tackle anti-social behaviour and respond to safety concerns.
• Homelessness prevention: Early intervention, tenancy support, and mediation services to reduce the risk of homelessness.
• Let NCC: Incentives designed to increase the availability of affordable rental properties in Norwich.
• Housing estate enhancements: Improvements to estates to support ongoing clean street initiatives.
• Reducing inequality: Strengthening neighbourhood networks in target areas to foster a more inclusive community.
• NoW: Project management support to streamline services, making it easier for residents to access the help they need.

A track record of success

Previous rounds of UKSPF funding have already delivered significant community benefits across Norwich, from upgrading public spaces and facilities to supporting local engagement. Alongside training and skills programmes, the fund has helped deliver community-led improvements, refurbished public buildings, and established a popular skill-sharing hub in Mile Cross.

Initiatives such as the Love Norwich grants have contributed to the creation of new community gardens and murals, while increased support for events, volunteering, and social enterprises has strengthened local participation. Neighbourhood cleanliness efforts have also led to improved waste management and enforcement.

A Fairer Norwich for all

Davina Howes, Norwich City Council’s executive director overseeing communities, welcomed the additional funding, stating: "Norwich is home to many fantastic community groups and initiatives, and we are proud to support them as part of our commitment to A Fairer Norwich.

“The additional UKSPF funding is a testament to the achievements of these projects, which continue to make a real difference in our city.

"Investing in these projects will enable us to further support our residents, improve quality of life, and foster a stronger, more vibrant Norwich."

The funding proposals will be presented to Norwich City Council’s cabinet for approval on Wednesday, 2 April.

Achievements to date:

Since its inception, the UKSPF has enabled Norwich City Council to deliver a broad range of impactful initiatives:

1. Love Norwich grants: 39 grants awarded for community-led improvements to public outdoor spaces, including community gardens, wildflower areas, murals, and park improvements.
2. Community building improvements: 60 small capital grants for upgrades to public buildings, enhancing facilities and energy efficiency.
3. New Community facility: A skill-sharing hub, 185, opened in Mile Cross, offering activities focused on creativity and wellbeing, with 4,000 visitors since September 2023.
4. Green Hearts in Mile Cross: Partnership creating seven new community gardens, improving biodiversity, reducing fly-tipping, and fostering community action.
5. Community insights: Insights from community connectors have informed various initiatives, including employment support and age-friendly city work.
6. Community action: 131 events held and 35 people supported into regular volunteering.
7. Support for social enterprises: Workshops and one-to-one support delivered by FUSE, bringing an additional £137k into the city's social enterprises.
8. Business support: Startup and growth support provided to 189 businesses and 74 entrepreneurs.
9. Employment support: 21 long-term unemployed individuals helped into employment, with 66 receiving training or volunteering support through the Brighter Futures project.
10. Neighbourhood cleanliness: Improved 52 communal bin facilities and piloted CCTV enforcement to reduce fly-tipping, with 57 new street bins being installed.