New grant scheme to boost essential skills across Devon

Devon County Council are launching an ambitious new initiative aimed at improving adult learning and skills.

Essential Skills Devon is designed to support innovative, community-led projects that help people aged 16 and over to overcome barriers to learning and unlock new opportunities. Its aim is to improve adult literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) throughout the county.

The programme has been made possible through the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) awarded to the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority.

The Council are inviting organisations to apply for grants of between £20,000 and £60,000 to deliver projects under three key themes:

1. Skills for Work and Economic Participation
   • Workplace English and maths courses
   • Digital skills for employment
   • Sector-specific basic skills training (e.g. contextualised maths for retail, care, and construction)
2. Pathways for Youth – Re-engaging NEETs
   • Creative engagement programmes (e.g. music, art, sport)
   • Digital confidence courses
   • Mentoring and youth-led learning initiatives
3. Foundations for Independent Living and Social Inclusion
   • Everyday English and ESOL
   • Numeracy for life (e.g. budgeting, managing bills)
   • Digital inclusion workshops
   • Community learning circles and health literacy sessions

4. Applications are welcome from a wide range of organisations, including private businesses, public sector bodies, voluntary and community organisations, charities and CICs, and must be submitted by Monday 14 July 2025.

   To be eligible, projects must deliver activities within Devon County Council’s administration area, Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge and West Devon and align with the programme’s themes and objectives.

   For more information and to apply, visit our Essential Skills Devon webpages or contact EssentialSkillsDevon@devon.gov.uk