Cardiff’s share of the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) – designed to replace funding previously provided by the EU – has been spent benefiting hundreds of people and projects across the city.

The fund, part of the Government’s levelling up strategy, was launched in November last year to compensate for the loss of Structural Funds in Wales.

Now, a new report to the Council’s Cabinet has outlined how Cardiff’s share – overseen by the Council – is being distributed.

In the period up to the end of March this year, more than £5.2m has been spent on projects including:

More than 140 arts activities supported at Llanover Hall
The refurbishment of Rhiwbina Hub
Improvements to shelter and lighting in St Mellons Park
200 events supported for young people
Supported more than 3,000 litter picks
Set up nine community recycling zones
Supported more than 600 people to take part in numeracy courses
Education and training for young people across the city, with targeted support for some of the most vulnerable young people in Cardiff
Direct support to music venues
Supporting job club activities to help people with employment, benefits and housing, and
Cycle way improvements in Old St Mellons and Llanishen Park
Enhanced city centre management operations
Providing employment, benefits and housing support directly to Cardiff residents

Ahead of the final year of the SPF programme, a further engagement event took place in June this year to help share priorities. Following that, an updated SPF programme has been proposed which will allocate £8.6m for projects including:

An open call worth more than £5m for community projects with funding of up to £250,000
Additional grant funding for small businesses
Investment in community facilities and the Neighbourhood Renewal programme
Support for grassroots music venues
Funding to support the Cardiff Market restoration

Cllr Huw Thomas, the leader of Cardiff Council, said the SPF had already helped to support many existing projects and ensure many new programmes could be created right across the city.

“We’ve been able to use the SPF to bolster our Stronger, Fairer, Greener commitments to Cardiff residents. It has helped maintainsome of those vital services our communities rely on, while also enabling new ventures, events and activities which support equality and celebrate diversity in Cardiff.

“The SPF fits perfectly with the Council’s Stronger, Fairer, Greener strategy and has delivered some vital services for communities in the city, supporting events and activities that are helping communities work together, promoting equality and celebrating diversity. It is also directly investing in our businesses and supporting people across Cardiff to access employment opportunities.”

The report will be discussed at the Council’s Cabinet committee meeting on Thursday, September 21, at 2pm.