ORGANISATIONS in Bolton are being invited to bid for a new fund aimed at supporting people and communities most in need.

Applications are now open for the UK Community Renewal Fund (UKCRF), which invests in skills, communities and places, as well as supporting people into employment.

The UK Government has designated 100 areas across the UK as ‘priority places’ to receive the fund, including four boroughs in Greater Manchester – Bolton, Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has been named as the Lead Authority with responsibility for inviting, assessing, prioritising and submitting bids for the UKCRF.

In particular, the UK Government is seeking bids which build on local insight and knowledge, align with long-term plans for local growth and target people most in need. Bids that support community renewal, demonstrate a contribution to national net zero and carbon reduction ambitions are also welcomed. The UKCRF will be used to support innovation and new ideas.

Simon Nokes, executive director of policy and strategy for GMCA, said: “The UK Community Renewal Fund will help assist communities most in need in the city-region, and will also help support new approaches to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

“We are looking for bids from organisations that will support and help communities in Greater Manchester to thrive, with Bolton, Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale having been identified as priority places by the UK Government for this fund. The invitation to submit project bids is now live and anybody interested in applying can do so via The Chest.”

The UKCRF Greater Manchester Invitation to Submit Project Bids is now live and can be accessed via website The Chest (Reference DN535893). Those wanting to apply will need to register for access on The Chest's website.

The deadline for bids is 4pm on Friday, May 14 and all UKCRF projects must be delivered by March 31, 2022. The Chest can be found at the-chest.org.uk.