GBSLEP launches fund in support of young people and net zero goals
Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) has announced a new fund to encourage organisations to support young people and drive clean growth as the country aims to reach net zero by 2050.
With up to a maximum of £500,000 available per project, the 'Growing Places Fund ' has been developed to create opportunities for young people who are continuing to face challenges and inequalities following the pandemic.
The new fund will also support local organisations as they embrace the decarbonisation challenge and become more sustainable. GBSLEP wants to stimulate the economic opportunities that clean growth, low-carbon innovation and the green economy can deliver for local people and businesses.
The projects must cover the local authority areas of Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Redditch, Solihull, Tamworth, Wyre Forest.
The types of projects that could receive funding to support young people include; creating apprenticeship and Kickstart opportunities, skills and training qualifications and 'on-the-job ' work experience placements.
On sustainability and clean growth, organisations can apply with ideas that drive down energy use, improve waste or resource efficiency and the creation / improvement of green spaces.
Sophie Drake (pictured), GBSLEP board director for young people said: “Our new Growing Places Fund is unique in its ability to address two major local and national priorities at the heart of delivering post-pandemic recovery. Firstly our young people, who have been hit very hard in the last 18 months, and secondly, the race to net zero, where we will unlock opportunities to recover economically in a greener, fairer and sustainable way.
"With grants up to £500,000 available, organisations across our GBSLEP region have the opportunity to make a real difference to young people now or future generations through projects that benefit our planet and environment.
“Through this fund, GBSLEP will support organisations who need financial support for projects as part of our wider programme to drive inclusive economic growth and deliver Government 's Plan for Growth and Levelling Up agenda. ”
The fund is being launched in conjunction with the GBSLEP 's Young People Strategy - You(th)Matter. The report has been prod,uced in collaboration with GBSLEP 's public, private and academic partners and outlines major interventions and recommendations that can support the wider local and regional plans to support the region 's diverse youth population.
During the pandemic, this group were adversely impacted as highlighted in a report by the Princes Trust which found 41 per cent of young people aged 16-25 felt their future goals seemed 'impossible to achieve '.
The findings are backed by local leaders across the region and has received attention from Brummie spoken word artist Ryan Sinclair who has penned a new poem highlighting how GBSLEP 's investments across a decade are helping local communities and young people to unleash their potential. Ryan 's poem is reflected in new video that highlights the GBSLEP region 's young people.
Spoken word artist Ryan Sinclair said: “Penning this piece has been a fantastic opportunity to reflect the great work GBSLEP has done so far for young people and will continue to build on through the new Young People Strategy. It 's been amazing to highlight young people and to show off the positive and long-lasting effects of inclusive investment in our region."
The expression of interest for the Growing Places Fund is now open and closes at 5pm on Monday 18 October 2021.
The programme requires a minimum of 25 per cent match funding, with matched funding applications for projects with a total project cost up to a maximum of £500,000.
For further information, please visit www.gbslep.co.uk /fundingcalls