Merthyr Tydfil launches £20 Million call for Pride in Place projects.

Organisations in Merthyr Tydfil are being invited to put projects forward for a new round of UK Government funding.

Merthyr Tydfil’s local neighbourhood Board and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council will be helping to deliver the government’s Pride in Place Programme, a 10-year investment programme designed to support the regeneration of towns and neighbourhoods through long-term, community-led change.

Local groups, voluntary organisations, businesses, education providers, cultural & heritage bodies, and public sector partners are being invited to get in touch with their ideas.

Merthyr Tydfil has been selected as one of 75 areas of the country to receive a share of £1.5 billion of government funding. A 10-year programme will see each area receive up to £20m, with a local Neighbourhood Board responsible for identifying, assessing, and selecting which projects receive a share of that.

All projects in Merthyr Tydfil should be guided by the principles of the three core objectives of Pride in Place:

• to help create thriving places,
• to build stronger communities
• to enable local people to take back control over their area’s future.

The government has set out a wide-ranging list of the kind of projects that could be funded through the scheme. It covers areas such as:

• Regeneration, high streets, and heritage.
• Creating and improving green spaces.
• Energy efficiency and decarbonisation and flooding alleviation schemes
• Support for arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities and supporting the visitor economy.
• Housing projects to modernise social housing and tackle rough sleeping.
• Projects that support getting people into work, filling skills gaps, improving productivity and supporting local businesses.
• Measures to improve community cohesion and support volunteering, social action, and the civil society.
• Projects that improve health and wellbeing. 

Paul Gray, Chair of the Pride in Place Neighbourhood Board, said: “I hope each of our communities are ambitious in proposing projects that will help us deliver the Pride in Place programme and help make a positive impact on their prosperity and well-being.  The Board is looking forward very much to receiving applications and working with organisations to bring their ideas to fruition.”

Gerald Jones MP, said: “As the local MP, I’m incredibly proud of communities across Merthyr Tydfil! That’s why I’m proud that the UK Government’s Pride in Place programme is giving people back their voice with £20 million of funding to further regenerate our communities.

"How ever you’re involved with the local community; your views matter. Pride in Place is your money: so get involved to share your ideas on how the £20 million could help make things even better.”

Councillor Brent Carter, Leader of the Council and Board member, said: "I am delighted that Merthyr Tydfil has been chosen to receive this significant investment. This is a huge opportunity for the people of our wonderful county borough get involved and help shape its future and I encourage anyone with an idea – no matter how big or small – to apply.”

More details about the scheme and guidelines for submitting proposals can be found on Pride in Place Programme | Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council