The Government is inviting local authorities in England to submit proposals for projects that solve a common local government issue.
The Local Digital Fund aims to help England’s councils transform their digital services in line with the Local Digital Declaration. The Declaration sets out a collective ambition for local public services in the internet age. It focuses on collaborative working to:
- Design services that best meet the needs of public.
- Challenge the technology market to offer flexible tools and services.
The Fund supports projects that address common local service challenges by using reusable digital tools and methodologies. It aims to make local government services safer, more resilient and cheaper to run.
In the latest round of funding (Round 6) approximately £2.5 million will be awarded. Local authorities will be invited to apply for funding to develop projects in Discovery, Alpha or Beta stages of development:
- Discovery projects aim to better understand a problem area. Funding up to a maximum of £100,000 will be offered for discovery applications.
- Alpha projects aim to build and test something for which there is a proven need. Funding up to a maximum of £180,000 will be offered for alpha applications.
- Beta projects aim to take the best idea from an alpha stage and start building it for real. Funding up to a maximum of £350,000 will be offered for beta applications.
Local authorities in England may apply. They must be a Local Digital Declaration signatory and collaborate with two other councils on the proposal.
Applications to Round 6 must be submitted by the deadline of Thursday 24 November 2022.
How To Apply
Round 6 deadline: Thursday 24 November 2022.
Applications are made online.
Each local authority can apply to lead, or be a partner on, as many projects as they can actively support.
For more information, visit the Local Digital website.