Employment, Enterprise and Skills – Devon Recovery Fund
From March 2021 to March 2023 Devon County Council’s Economy, Enterprise and Skills team worked together with local and district councils, businesses, third-sector organisations, colleges, and individuals on the Devon Recovery Fund.
The Devon Recovery Fund created, supported, or funded 22 projects to help the Devon economy recover from the worst effects of the pandemic.
We now have all the impacts reports in and are excited to share with you the successes and the impact we have had on individuals and businesses in Devon, through fully or partially funding new projects, contributing to existing external projects, or supporting projects in other ways.
Please note that the content of the above video is included in this webpage.
What we achieved
Our achievements included:
- investing £4.5 million into Devon
- supporting 2218 businesses to take up digital solutions, adapt business practises, start ups, with green innovation and more
- helping support the creation of 94 new jobs
- funding 14 urban renewal quick win projects (which were organised by local / district councils)
- providing employment support to 1407 individuals
- supporting 2307 training places
- providing 4208 young people with innovation workshops
- planting 14000 trees
- supporting 309 farms to become more resilient
Devon Recovery Fund projects were designed to help Devon recover from some of the worst impacts of the pandemic, with a focus on the long-term recovery of the local economy.
An independent review of the Devon Recovery Fund said:
“Our view is that the strategic focus of the programme has helped it ‘punch above its weight’ in terms of funding provided. The programme’s activities had clear alignment with wider economic objectives around supporting rural and coastal communities, developing the low carbon economy and supporting those individuals most disadvantaged.”
Our view is that the programme has played a positive role in the post-pandemic recovery of the Devon economy. In that sense, it has achieved (if not exceeded) the original purpose behind the DCC financial commitment.”
Ash Futures – Evaluation Of the Devon Covid-19 Economy And business Recovery Fund
The projects
Our Opportunities
‘Our Opportunities’ were projects driving a green and inclusive recovery and setting a renewed future economic direction for people, communities, business, and the whole economy.
Our Places
‘Our places’ were projects that helped support the idea that no place or community should be left behind after the pandemic.
Our People
‘Our people’ were projects that helped support the idea that no place or community should be left behind after the pandemic.
Our Businesses
‘Our businesses’ were projects supporting our business community through the pandemic, and enabled businesses to emerge stronger, more diverse and more resilient.
Thank you to all the project stakeholders involved in Devon Recovery Fund projects. For more information contact economy.enterprise.skills@devon.gov.uk.