Chesterfield Borough Council and its partners are celebrating the lasting impact of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which has helped deliver investment, opportunity and community-focused projects across the borough since 2022.
Working in partnership with organisations from the public, private, business, community and voluntary sectors, the council has led a programme that secured £2.693 million in spring 2022 to support priority projects between December 2022 and March 2025. The programme was later extended to March 2026, with a further £1.1 million allocated.
The funding has supported a wide range of activity under the three core UKSPF themes of communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.
As lead authority for delivery, Chesterfield Borough Council moved quickly to bring key organisations together through the UKSPF Partnership Board, ensuring joint working was central to the borough’s approach.
This collaborative approach has helped turn shared ambitions into action, with projects supporting residents, strengthening communities and helping businesses to start, grow and innovate.
Under the communities and place theme, grassroots projects have helped people and neighbourhoods to thrive, reaching residents of all ages and supporting some of the borough’s most deprived communities by strengthening local pride, connection and resilience.
Through business-focused initiatives, the programme has supported entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey from those taking their first steps into enterprise to established businesses looking to expand. This has helped drive growth, jobs, skills and innovation across the borough.
Under people and skills, tailored support has helped individuals overcome barriers to employment, develop confidence and build the skills needed for future careers.
Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Chair of the UKSPF Partnership Board, said: “The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has made a real difference across Chesterfield, helping us to support local businesses, invest in our communities and create new opportunities for residents.
“What has made this programme particularly valuable is the strength of the partnerships behind it, with organisations coming together to deliver practical support and long-term benefits for the borough.
“It was a great privilege to act as Chair of the UKSPF partnership. The power of the partnerships we formed will make a lasting impact on the borough.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “One of the best things about the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Chesterfield has been seeing what people can achieve when they work together. Councils, businesses, community organisations and volunteers have turned this investment into practical support and lasting improvements for communities across the borough.
“The funding has helped local businesses grow, supported people to develop new skills, strengthened neighbourhoods and given residents the support they need to move towards work. Behind every project are people who care about their communities and have worked hard to make a positive difference.
“As Mayor, I want to see that spirit of partnership continue. The confidence, relationships and momentum built through this programme has given Chesterfield a strong foundation for the future.”
Since the programme began in 2022 and closed in 2026, a total of £3.793 million has been allocated to a wide range of businesses and community organisations, helping them to grow, develop and make a positive difference locally. The partnerships formed through UKSPF are expected to leave a lasting legacy for Chesterfield and its communities.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund was funding provided by the UK government.
The funding aimed to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, and people and skills.
Find out more about the projects that have been delivered in Chesterfield on our UK Shared Prosperity Fund page.
