FUNDING totalling almost £11 million has been awarded to Bradford district to stimulate economic growth and jobs.

Two of the most deprived areas of the district have been awarded over £5.4 million in matched EU funding via the Leeds City Region European Structural Investment Fund to support activity that addresses local needs and opportunities over the next five years.

The funding will lead to Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programmes being set up in Bradford to cover the city, Great Horton and Manningham wards and in Keighley to cover Keighley East, Keighley West and Keighley Central wards.

The Bradford Central CLLD area has been granted £1.5 million European Regional Development Fund from the Department of Communities and Local Government and £1.5 million European Social Fund, from the Department for Work and Pensions, which matched with local funding has the potential to deliver a £6 million programme.

The Keighley CLLD area has been granted £1.4 million European Regional Development Fund from the Department of Communities and Local Government and European Social Fund cash of £1 million from the Department of Work and Pensions. This will have the potential to deliver a £4.8 million programme.

Coun Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Bradford is known as an entrepreneurial district. This funding is about bringing together local communities giving opportunities to develop projects that tap into the potential of people in these two areas.

“These Community Led Local Development projects will provide support, education and skills to unemployed people, raising their aspirations and helping to lift barriers to entry to and progression within jobs. They will also aim to support new business start-ups and existing small businesses to help them to grow and expand.”

Hamayun Arshad, Chair of the Bradford Local Action Group, added: “Local residents, business people and voluntary sector workers on the Local Action Group have been working hard with Carlisle Business Centre, Bradford Council and other local partners for over two years to bring this resource to the area. Communities living in Manningham, Great Horton and City wards are some of the most enterprising in the country.”

Wendy Spencer, Vice Chair of Keighley CLLD, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Keighley has been awarded this funding. Our aim is to make the area a better place to live, work, start new business and help existing businesses to grow. Skills development and job creation is a priority.”

A community led local development is about local people getting involved to take the lead on activity that provides sustainable economic benefits.

A Local Development Strategy has been developed for each area, in partnership with local delivery partners, business and the local community.