£ 1.78 MILLION WILL BE SPEND TO IMPROVE GLASGOW CITY

By Anna Konovalenko

6 Glasgow projects received £ 1.78 million of UK Shared Prosperity Fund support from the government. The money from UKSPF will be spent on the city development in various areas such as ecology, digital and business. 

UKSPF was launched by the UK government to support cities across the country. The aim is to invest in places, activities, events, local communities, and small businesses. Glasgow City Council has decided how to spend the money effectively, dividing costs among 6 areas.

The biggest amount goes to the Ecosystem Growth which received £600,000. Those costs are to be directed to the tech SMEs, which will allow them to strengthen early-stage tech businesses.

Business Start-Up Grants received £500,000. The idea is to help pre-start businesses be launched faster. The Council commented that even though there are a lot of sponsorship programs to support local businesses, there is more help to receive. 

Glasgow City Council stated that ‘The programme will support the council’s ambitions to grow social enterprises and support vulnerable groups, including those living in the most deprived communities, those under/unemployed, women-led businesses, lone parents, minority ethnic communities and those suffering from ill health.’

Green Programme and Project Development Fund received £305,000 and they will be delivered to the city’s Climate Investment Pipeline. One of the main goals organisation has is to reduce the release of harmful substances into the air as well as.

In their press release, Glasgow Council announced that ‘this work will identify projects that offer potential to reduce emissions, as well as generate revenue streams or savings, to leverage private investment, and to generate wider economic, social or environmental benefits.’

The next place takes Tech Community Support with the £150,000. The money will contribute to the development of the tech ecosystem in Glasgow. 

Digital Development Grants received £125,000 from the UKSPF and aims to provide funding for Digital Boost. The Development Grant covers the expenses of premium consultation which helps businesses to digitalize their work and become more competitive in the market.

The last project is the Communities Mobilisation Programme. The total amount allocated for that is £100,000. The idea is to support local communities and cultural life in Glasgow.

The council assured they will work with Glasgow Life towards fostering development ‘with grants of up to £10,000 available for organisations to build the capacity of local communities to take part in, and facilitate, the city’s transition towards a green economy’.