UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – Multiply in West Dunbartonshire Council 2024-2025
Multiply is a new up to £559 million programme to help transform the lives of adults across the UK, by improving their functional numeracy skills through free personal tutoring, digital training, and flexible courses. Through Multiply, the UK Government and Local Government want to invest in local provision that boosts people’s ability to use maths in their daily life, at home and work – and enable adults to achieve formal qualifications that can open doors for them (such as career progression, or progression to further study). Adults who need to improve their numeracy (up to and including Level 2/SCQF Level 5) will be able to access free flexible courses that fit around their lives – whether that be in person or online, at work or in the evening, part time or intensive.
Target audience
Target learners are adults 19+ who have not previously attained a Level 2/ SCQF Level 5 or higher maths qualification. They can either be working towards a maths Level 2/ SCQF Level 5 or Functional Skills Qualification, need specific numeracy skills for their work or progression, or just want to brush up on the skills to help them get on in life and work.
For more information about Multiply in Scotland - Multiply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Adult Learning in Scotland
Community-based adult learning is delivered with and for adults in their communities. The Social Practice model is widely used to respond to learners' goals and aspirations. This model acknowledges that adult learners bring skills, experiences and assets to be built on to their learning programme.
Adult learning in Scotland will develop better-skilled, educated, confident and empowered people contributing to connected and inclusive communities.
The Adult Learning strategy in Scotland is based on three core principles:
Adult learning strategy 2022 to 2027 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
West Dunbartonshire Council is keen to work with organisations that can deliver innovative Numeracy programmes for local people that aim to support participants build their confidence using numbers in everyday life, gain qualifications in numeracy/maths and progress into further learning, employment opportunities or progress in their career. Together we want to create the conditions for connected adult learning opportunities that link Scotland's communities, local authorities, third sector organisations, colleges and universities around an offer of learning for adults. The Council aims are to work together, building on local insight and knowledge, aligning with long term strategic plans for local growth, targeting people most in need, investing in skills and supporting people on their learning journey.
Please see our WDC UKSPF Data Sharing and Privacy Notice to see how any data collected from you will be processed.
Projects must deliver activity that is aligned to UK and Local Government shared ambition of UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Multiply.
West Dunbartonshire Council anticipates supporting a range of projects.
As 100% of the funding available through UKSPF – Multiply is revenue funding and only available in March 2024 to March 2025, projects should be exclusively revenue based. Projects that focus on capital activity will not be supported.
In selecting the bids West Dunbartonshire Council will prioritise those that have the greatest potential to deliver against local priorities and growth.
Consideration should be given to specific client groups who, for whatever reason, may face challenges in securing access to learning and employment opportunities and development services.
Projects should benefit the residents of West Dunbartonshire Local Authority Area and be aligned to one of the following Strategic Interventions:
The West Dunbartonshire Strategic Employability Group has created an UKSPF Multiply Grant Programme to support a co-commissioned approach to numeracy support in West Dunbartonshire.
The West Dunbartonshire UKSPF Multiply Grant Programme aims to: support people to develop numeracy skills for their personal, community, family and work life.
The West Dunbartonshire UKSPF Multiply Grant Programme will:
At this point in time (Feb 2024) there is approximately £50,000 to £80,000 available to allocate through the grant programme.
The Multiply Grant Guidance, and the associated grant application form, outlines the intentions, principles and priorities to be met through the new West Dunbartonshire UKSPF Multiply Grant Programme supporting numeracy skills provision in 2023/24 and 2024/25.
The closing date for applications is NOON Friday 8th March 2024. Bids must be submitted using the Multiply Grants Programme Application Form.
Bids must be submitted to West Dunbartonshire Council using this email address:
Bids submitted in any other format will not be accepted.
West Dunbartonshire Council Employability Grant Award is a competitive process and West Dunbartonshire Council will not enter into discussions with bidders.
Application Process and Decision Making
Delivery Timescales and Key Milestones
The first round of the West Dunbartonshire UKSPF Multiply Grant programme will provide funding for delivery of services from March 2024 to the 31st March 2025
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
|
Information session for potential applicants |
Thursday 29th February 2024, 1pm – 2pm. Attendees must book their place using the Eventbrite Booking System: |
|
Grant opens for applications |
Monday 26th February 2024 |
|
Application deadline |
Noon, Friday 8th March 2024 |
|
Assessment panel |
w/c 11th March 2024 |
|
Application outcomes notified |
w/c 11th March 2024 |
|
Award letter issued |
w/c 25th March 2024 |
|
Delivery Starts |
From March 2024 |
|
Delivery end |
31st March 2025 dependent on contract awarded |
Providers can make multiple applications if they wish to provide more than one project.
Following assessment West Dunbartonshire Council will enter into a Grant Award Agreement with successful bidders.
To find out more about UKSPF – Multiply in West Dunbartonshire, the Call for Bids and how to apply, please register for this free Eventbrite online webinar:
Date of Webinar:
Thursday 29th February 2024, 1pm – 2pm
Sign Up for participation here:
Eventbrite - WDC UKSP Multiply Grants Programme
West Dunbartonshire Council UKSPF Grant Award is a competitive process and West Dunbartonshire Council will not enter into discussions with bidders.
We try to ensure that all the required information is provided in the grant guidance. However, below you will find some questions that have been asked that may not be covered within the grant guidance document, with associated answers:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can signatures be typed in on the application or do you require a hard signature then a scanned copy via email? | Please do not submit scanned copies of applications. Completed applications should be submitted as a word document attachment to an email.Please sign your application using a digital signature. |
| Is there a cap on the financial award per organisation? | The cap will be based on the overall funding available. |
| Can an organisation bid for more than one programme? | Yes, however a separate application has to be submitted for each. |
| We deliver services in specific geographical areas, is it ok to continue this under this funding? | Yes, it is down to you to tell us what, where and how you propose to deliver your programme. |
| Can a programme deliver more than one cohort during the funding period? | Two cohorts of the same programme can be included in the one application as long as the overall programme meets the grant delivery start/end date timescales within the grant guidance. |
| Can we deliver a programme that is similar to what W4U also deliver? | Yes, there is no issue replicating service provision in areas where the demand or need is not met. |