A NEW £150,000 fund to support community projects will be launched at an event in Wem next month.

Shropshire Council, in partnership with Spacehive, has announced Crowdfund Shropshire, which they say will make it easier for people in the county to improve their local area. 

The crowdfunding nature of the programme, in collaboration with council funding, aims to maximise the amount campaigners can raise in order to deliver community projects that matter to them and will transform the area.

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Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and communities, said: “This is a huge opportunity that puts power into the hands of local people to transform the places where they live.

“I’m really excited about the launch and hearing about the many ideas you have that we and your community can help bring to life.

“It’s something quite different to what we’ve done before but we really think that, when it comes to where you live, you know best.”

The Crowdfund Shropshire launch event will take place on Wednesday, October 11at Wem Town Hall, with tea and coffee on arrival for a 2pm start (online attendance is also offered on booking).

Shropshire’s Shared Prosperity Community Fund has been made possible due to funding under the 'Communities and Place' theme of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Shropshire Council.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025, and is a central pillar of the Government’s levelling up agenda.

The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. 

Shropshire Council and Spacehive are keen to hear from Shropshire residents who have innovative ideas to improve their local area and encourage them to get involved.

To register, people can visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/crowdfund-shropshire-launch-tickets-726144597037?aff=oddtdtcreator

All project ideas should be launched on the Spacehive platform and pitched to the available funds by the end of December 2023 for the first year of funding.

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Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council, who is speaking at the launch, said:“ Shropshire is home to many community leaders and volunteers committed to making a difference and delivering activity to improve the lives of others, or to celebrate and improve our local area, but to make a difference our communities need financial support.

“Crowdfunding works when a large number of people each give a small amount of money.

“By sharing information on the ambitions and plans of our local communities, we may obtain support from individuals, but we can also encourage donations from local businesses, public sector bodies, local funders and other philanthropists.”