My name is Hannah Henderson and I work in in the Northern Ireland Area Team for the UK Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. I am writing to inform you of a funding opportunity that may be of interest to you or others in your network.
The Department has published a refreshed prospectus and associated technical guidance for the second round of the Levelling Up Fund which can be viewed here. Announced at the 2020 Spending Review, the Fund will focus on capital investment in local infrastructure. It is designed to have a visible, tangible impact on people and places, and support economic recovery, through prioritising bids that invest in regeneration and growth in places in need and areas of low productivity and connectivity.
In Northern Ireland, the UK Government will accept bids from a range of local applicants, including but not limited to businesses, voluntary and community sector organisations, district councils, and other public sector bodies.
In round one, there were 11 successful projects in Northern Ireland, totalling £49m. These included a £12.2 million project to regenerate the Dundonald International Ice Bowl in, a £3 million Greenways project in Ards and North Down, and town centre regeneration schemes in Antrim and Glengormley. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is eager to see more investment into a wider range of projects and organisations across Northern Ireland through the second round of funding.
I have attached a document which sets out the Levelling Up Fund in more detail including the investment themes, and when applicants can apply. If you would like to find out more about the Levelling Up Fund, the Department is hosting an online webinar to provide detail on the fund on the 26th April 2022 15:00-15:45 Please see link to webinar here.
If you have further questions after reading the prospectus and associated technical guidance please email: lufteam@levellingup.gov.uk with your query.
Many thanks,
Hannah
