The Shared Prosperity Fund has provided North Wales with £123 million, with the numbers highlighting the success of a government-funded programme across North Wales, from breaking down barriers to employment to upgrading key facilities.
Tailored Schemes
The region received more than £123 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), with 169 projects delivering tailored schemes across three priorities: communities and place; supporting local businesses; and people and skills. With the six North Wales local authorities empowered to make funding decisions, more than 15,000 people, 4,135 businesses, and more than 1,830 local groups received support from 2022 to 2025.
Key takeaways from the programme’s achievements include more than 500 community facilities built or improved, many of which have upgraded facilities to support the future sustainability of much-needed local services, close to 1,000 jobs safeguarded with another 686 created, more than 38,750 volunteering opportunities, and more than 10,263 events and activities run.
Success Stories
The stats were revealed at a celebratory event held at Conwy Business Centre, along with a publication that detailed some of the success stories across Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, the Isle of Anglesey, and Wrexham.
North Wales Corporate Joint Committee vice chair, Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, said: “The information to hand already paints a promising picture of meaningful success and change across North Wales. We are already witnessing the positive effects of improved local community assets and infrastructure, growth and efficiency among businesses, and progress in supporting people into employment.
“The Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales – thanks to the flexible approach at the heart of the SPF – shows how, by empowering local areas, regional and national priorities can be efficiently and effectively addressed.”
WeMindTheGap
Further data revealed that over than 7,600 individuals gained or received support to gain a qualification. Also, close to 5,300 people accessed employability support, and businesses reduced their CO2 by 456 tonnes.
One organisation that benefitted from the UKSPF was social mobility charity WeMindTheGap. The outfit utilised financial support via Wrexham County Borough Council so young people could overcome barriers to work and education. As a result, the company engaged with 582 Wrexham-based 18 to 21-year-olds. Over 60 per cent of these progressed into education or volunteering, and several youngsters secured employment.
WeMindTheGap also launched a pilot programme, WeBridge. This initiative has supported seven young people into work, three into accredited training, and three into volunteering. In addition, the charity introduced innovative systems and portals. These channels provided long-term impact beyond the UKSPF grant, with potential benefits extending across North Wales and the UK.
“A Fantastic Place To Work, Live And Do Business”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “It’s great to hear about the successful projects in North Wales which the Shared Prosperity Fund, funded by the UK Government, has delivered. We have made economic growth our number one mission. The UKSPF is helping people gain skills to secure well-paid jobs. It is also working to make North Wales a fantastic place to work, live and do business.”
Visit https://shorturl.at/1xXiu to see the impact publication.
The funding supported the SPF’s three priorities:
- Communities and place (£58.98 million): to enhance the vibrancy and appeal of local areas.
- Supporting local businesses (£24.20 million): to create growth, innovation, and sustainability within local enterprises.
- People and skills (£36.68 million): to equip residents with the skills and opportunities for a thriving future.
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