Councils could be awarded up to £20,000 each to fund their proposal to advance digital inclusion, digital connectivity, and cyber security.

The funding is part of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Digital Pathfinders Programme – launched last Friday – which is aimed at helping councils innovate digitally to support their residents.

Each proposal must meet one of three challenge areas: scalability, sustainability, and transferability. The deadline for submissions to the fund is Friday 10 September at noon.

‘We’re delighted to be providing this opportunity to help support councils deliver services to their residents in new and innovative ways,’ said Cllr Peter Fleming, chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board.

‘As place shapers at the centre of their communities, councils have a fundamental role to play in helping enhance and improve the digital connectivity of their local areas.

‘The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of greater digital connectivity for businesses and communities across the country, with councils leading the way in transforming their services in response to this.

‘We want this important programme to help efforts to improve digital connectivity, accelerate digital inclusion and keep services and residents safe from the threats surrounding cyber security.’