Edinburgh City Council makes £12m bid to boost community projects including tech initiatives

Edinburgh City Council is bidding for more than £12m in shared prosperity funding from the UK Government as it targets support for a series of projects that will tackle poverty and support local businesses in the city.   

The shortlist includes the innovative Codebase’s GreenTech Accelerator programme to promote entrepreneurial skills and new start-ups. The Edinburgh-based organisation’s MedTech initiative, which is also in the plan, will look to build an investment fund that educates and then funds medical technology start-ups. Both programmes have been recommended for funding.   

Another proposed project, Reconnect Edinburgh, will partner with organisations and local communities to run weekly digital training sessions, aimed at increasing levels of digital inclusion. It aims to teach and highlight digital skills, communicate the benefits of getting safely online, and in community support to provide users with the confidence and trust to stay online.  

Up to 32 projects are being considered, from employment initiatives and skills development to new measures to help disadvantaged residents of Edinburgh and reduce inequalities between communities.   

After the submission of Edinburgh City Council’s investment plan, the UK Government will move into the negotiation phase before the funds are released. According to the council, if the bid is successful, it could help support projects in Edinburgh as early as October this year all the way until 2025.   

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Our communities make our city and we’re so lucky to have a great number of incredible people working so hard to support local projects and bring forward new ideas. 

“It hasn’t been easy for the panel to narrow this shortlist down and I’m really grateful to everyone involved. They have chosen an exciting and diverse mix of important projects - each and every one of them designed to tackle poverty and improve lives at a local level - and I’m pleased the selection has received committee’s approval. 

“We agreed that we would provide updates on the bid regularly, including the role of under-represented groups. We all want to make sure these efforts are inclusive and support a diverse range of residents. 

“This funding allocation really will mean the world to those involved and will allow us to help thousands of people. I’m looking forward to early confirmation from the UK Government on our success with this bid, as I’m keen that we start delivering right away.”