This week is the last chance for community and voluntary groups who want to create a community green space or community garden in their local area, to apply for funding to make their idea a reality. The Braintree District Council Community Garden and Open Spaces Fund offers funding of up to £3,500, which is made possible through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. 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. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus. If this is something you are interested in, please let us know by emailing community.gardens@braintree.gov.uk by 5pm on 18th August 2023. Please share this in your communities.