The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) 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.

The government has extended the UKSPF for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 with an allocation of £1.37 million for investment in businesses, communities and people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

BCP Economic Development Supporting Business (EDSB)

We are proud to support business through the UKSPF and help them to succeed with this funding allocation. The Investment Plan will support the local business economy in the following areas:

• start-up and growth
• decarbonisation and improving the natural environment
• town and district centres
• development and promotion of the visitor economy

Start-up and growth support

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for support, which is delivered by our scheme partners, Evolve. As a Poole based business advisory firm, they can provide eligible businesses with fully funded one-to-one guidance and support.

To be eligible for support from the UKSPF your business's sole or main place of business must be an address within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Register to access support

Use our online form to register your business for the UKSPF support. 

Business set up support

Have you or someone you know ever thought of starting a business? The Ignite programme teaches the basics in how to start and run a new business in the early stages.

The course is fully funded by the UKSPF and a small grant of £250 towards initial start-up costs is also available.

Read more about starting a business with ignite.

More information

Stay up to date regarding the very latest UKSPF news and other business support from us by subscribing to our business news and information newsletter.

If you have any questions, you can email us at ukspf@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.

If you require a more accessible format to complete the registration process, email ukspf@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to discuss alternative options.

Awarded grant projects

View a summary of all grant projects awarded a UKSPF from us during the previous UKSPF allocation.