Schemes to help people find work, support businesses and encourage use of community green spaces are among the Swansea projects to have benefited from a major funding pot.
From November 2021 to December this year, close to £2.5m worth of funding from the UK Government’s Community Renewal Fund has been invested in a number of schemes across the city.
Swansea Council invited applications from local organisations as part of the fund, which were then shortlisted and submitted to the UK Government for approval as part of an overall bid.
Schemes to benefit in Swansea include the Pathways to Work initiative run by the council, which has been providing support for employability, improving skills, volunteering and paid work placements for the long-term unemployed or people aged 16 and over who are economically inactive. Figures show more than 250 people have been supported since the scheme’s inception.
Other elements of the funding have focused on helping Swansea businesses recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, with schemes including online power hour and start-up enterprise club events giving hundreds of Swansea businesses free tips on topics ranging from social media guidance and branding to legal considerations and cyber security.
Using funding from the Community Renewal Fund, more than 50 Swansea start-up businesses have also received grant support.
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Linked to the key themes of the Community Renewal Fund, projects in Swansea to have benefited include those aimed at supporting our businesses and improving local people’s skills so they can find work.
“Like many cities throughout the UK and beyond, Swansea was looking to quickly bounce back from the economic impact of the pandemic, so these schemes have been important to give as much support as possible to local entrepreneurs, residents and families.
“Ranging from online masterclasses and grants for businesses to tailored support for the economically inactive, our support has been targeted where it’s most needed.
“The Community Renewal Fund will build-up to the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, with details soon expected on how much funding Swansea will get and how local people and businesses can benefit.
“Information on that scheme will be announced as soon as it’s finalised.”
Other schemes funded by the Community Renewal Fund in Swansea include a project with the city’s Centre for African Entrepreneurship to support people from ethnic minorities into education and employment, while tackling issues including language barriers.
The Penderi Green Regeneration project delivered by Pobl Group and partners also benefited from funding as part of a scheme to encourage local residents to enjoy green spaces in their community while showcasing green energy technology. This has included food growing and practical, community-based learning, activities and events for local families.
