A grant that has been hailed as a game-changer is now open for applications.

In December, Mansfield District Council was allocated £2.955m from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) over three years.

The fund aims to improve pride in where people live and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and places, supporting local businesses, people, and skills.

Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams said the Mansfield Community Grant Fund could be a game-changer for community groups and enable them to make a real difference.

There are two routes through which businesses, community groups, and people can apply.

The Mansfield Community Grant Fund is taking applications via the Mansfield CVS website — www.mansfieldcvs.org/communitygrantfund.

This offering a maximum of £15,000 in grants for community and voluntary groups, which want to apply for projects that will make a difference in their local neighbourhoods.

Mansfield UKSPF Communities and Place is the second way to apply for this funding.

Here funding for projects of more than £15,000 can be made. They must demonstrate how the proposals contribute to the fund’s communities and place ambitions.

Applications for this route can be made at www.mansfield.gov.uk/apply/mansfield-uk-shared-prosperity-fund/1

Andy added: “I am so pleased to see these opportunities being opened up and am delighted we can invite applications to both the council and the CVS.

“The £2.955m fund will be used for community projects, business support, and to promote new skills and employment opportunities across the district.

“The dedicated community grant will be a game-changer in Mansfield for our community groups, as they will now be able to make a difference on the ground.

“Thank you Mansfield CVS for working collaboratively with us to bring these opportunities to groups and residents to help make a real difference in the community.

“I encourage everyone to submit projects to these grants before the fast-approaching cut-off date.”

The deadline to apply for both funds is 8th February and projects must be able to commence expenditure before 31st March.

Vanessa Whitton, chief executive of Mansfield CVS, added: “We are thrilled and excited to be working in partnership with Mansfield District Council on the Mansfield Community Grant Fund.

“This funding recognises the value of the voluntary sector and the extensive partnership work that took place during and since the covid pandemic.

“Building a strong infrastructure in our local communities is at the forefront of our strategic plan, and this fund will make an invaluable difference to our groups to become long-term sustainable.”

The UKSPF marks the first funding available to replace previously available EU funding streams.