BARROW Council is calling on the community to help secure a £3 million boost.

Town Hall staff are working on a bid for the funds from the Community Renewal Fund and want businesses, education providers, voluntary and community groups to get involved.

Its plan is to deliver a collaborative application for funding, which they say will help drive new initiatives and projects.

A spokesperson for Barrow Borough Council said: “One of our strongest assets locally is our deep and meaningful community links, and we have witnessed the power of these over the last 12 months, as groups, businesses and individuals have worked hand in hand to deliver a whole host of services and support during the pandemic. We want to build on this strong collaboration by putting together a bid that is owned by the community for the community.

“In doing so we believe we will prove that we have the commitment and ability to make the most of the Community Renewal Fund and bring more funding into the Borough. Please get in touch to be part of this exciting opportunity. Together we are strong and can make a real difference in our community by working collaboratively”.

Barrow Local Resilience Forum are leading the bid.

The Forum believes that a co-ordinated and collaborative bid will put Barrow Borough organisations at the front of the queue for funding.

The Community Renewal Fund is a forerunner of the Shared Prosperity Fund that the council say will fill the gap of EU Funds that are no longer available.

It aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK to pilot programmes.

Schemes and projects which include investment in skills or businesses are considered for the funding.

Projects that support people into employment will also be considered.

The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday May 17.

Contact Alec Proffitt on aproffitt@barrowbc.gov.uk or Tracey Ingham on tracey.ingham@cumbria.gov.uk for more information