Funding boost will help local people back into work

Published: 20 July 2023

Three voluntary organisations working in Derby have been awarded Government funding to deliver tailor-made programmes to support local people in finding employment.

The Prince’s Trust, YMCA Derbyshire and visual arts charity Artcore Ltd will each benefit from a share of over half a million pounds from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). 

Earlier this year, organisations were invited to apply for funds to deliver bespoke projects to help people develop skills, knowledge and confidence to find work. Eligible applicants needed to have recent experience of delivering an employability support programme and show that there would be a gap in provision when their existing EU funding came to an end.

Successful projects include Empowerment for Employment - a partnership between Artcore Ltd, the Bosnian & Herzegovina Centre and the UK’s first dedicated Hip Hop school, Baby People. The three organisations will deliver a range of creative and accessible activities for people living in the most disadvantaged areas of Derby. 

Find out more about the programmes  

Councillor John Whitby, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Learning and Skills at Derby City Council said:

Many citizens find themselves without work through no fault of their own and can struggle to change this situation without extra support and advice.

This funding will continue to support the vital work of community and voluntary organisations to help people who are currently economically inactive to be able to secure meaningful, sustainable work. 

It’s especially important that we support young people and those in the most deprived areas to gain essential employability and life skills so that they’re able to realise their potential.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was launched in April 2022 to replace EU funding. It is a key part of the Government’s “levelling-up” agenda and is aimed at boosting communities, supporting local businesses and improving skills

Every part of the UK is receiving an allocation from the fund, covering three years until the end of the 2024-25 financial year.  Following Government approval of its Investment Plan, Derby City Council was awarded a total of £6.1m from the core fund. Each authority is encouraged to use the money to meet the unique needs of their community and location. 

This funding is divided into three core investment priorities, with employability support coming under the People and Skills priority.

The initial funding pot for this part was set to just over £562,000 for the first two years. There will be a separate opportunity later this year for organisations to bid for another tranche of funding to deliver employability projects between April 2024 and March 2025.

Community, Young people