“These initiatives will bring lasting benefits to our communities, boost business growth and create new opportunities for residents of all ages."
Braintree District Council is set to allocate £515,805 to businesses and community groups and projects over the next year, thanks to funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund.
The funding will support a wide range of projects aimed at connecting communities, supporting businesses, improving life chances and enhancing skills.
Planned initiatives include:
- Cultural experiences and educational opportunities for children and young people
- Mental health training and workshops for businesses and individuals
- Enrichment activities for adults with complex and special needs
- Holiday clubs for school-aged children
- Business support and support for entrepreneurship and innovation
- Training courses to enhance employability and opportunities for residents to upskill
The funding will also be used to improve playgrounds and community facilities, provide ‘key safes’ for people in need as well as help rural businesses expand products and services.
These initiatives are designed to improve health and wellbeing, create stronger and more connected communities, develop skills attractive to employers as well as encourage business growth, productivity and employment opportunities.
Councillor Frankie Ricci, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Infrastructure at Braintree District Council, said: “These initiatives will bring lasting benefits to our communities, boost business growth and create new opportunities for residents of all ages. By investing in a wide range of projects – from skills and wellbeing to business support and education - we’re not only addressing current challenges but we’re also laying down strong foundations for a more resilient and prosperous district.”
The Council will work with delivery partners and community groups to ensure the funding delivers maximum impact and reaches the people who need it the most.
Notes to editors:
Braintree District Council received an allocation of £339,081 from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and £176,724 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund for 2025/26.
Photograph of a Dragons’ Den style event giving primary school children the chance to pitch their schools’ eco projects to a panel of judges in a bid for investment; one of the educational projects funded by the allocation of government funds last year.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund provides £110 million of funding for investment within rural communities across England. The fund is a rural top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which is a central pillar of the UK Government’s agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.
For more information, visit:
Rural England Prosperity Fund: Prospectus
UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Prospectus