Rural Development

Organisations and charities that are supporting farmers, rural businesses and communities will be able to apply for grants of up to £50,000 from the 30th April 2018 onwards. Funding will be available for both capital and revenue costs. To be eligible to apply to the Princes Trust Countryside Fund projects must improve the prospects or viability for family farm businesses; to sustain rural communities and drive economic vibrancy. The closin...

Funding of up to £25,000 is available for community projects that focus on tackling isolation and improving the health and wellbeing of people living in sparsely populated areas. This dedicated programme of support for up to 10 rural communities per year is open now to applications from organisations and groups that have a proven track record of community partnership working. Projects should aim to reinvigorate community networks by assistin...

The fourth application window for the Welsh Government’s Farm Business Grant (FBG), designed to improve the economic and environmental performance of agricultural holdings, is due to re-open for applications from the 30th April to the 29th June 2018. FBG funding aims to help farmers make their businesses more efficient, resilient and environmentally friendly by providing a contribution towards capital investments in items of equipment and ma...

A new fund designed to help tourism in rural areas in Scotland is now open for applications from Local Authorities or National Park Authorities for projects that have strong support from local communities and tourism groups. Grants of £50,000 to £300,000 are available. Supported projects may include, for example, parking, camping facilities, disposal points (especially for camper vans) and toilet provision. The fund is being made availabl...

A new £2 million grant scheme is being piloted this year in five National Parks this year, offering funding for land managers to restore their historic farm buildings. The National Parks are Dartmoor, Lake District, Northumberland, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The aim of the scheme is to help save the iconic historic farm buildings in the English National Parks from falling out of use. Owners of these buildings can apply...

Rural communities with projects off the mains gas grid can now apply for funding of up to £5,000 to improve their local area. Projects that could apply for funding could be anything from redecorating community centres or village halls; to new equipment for youth clubs, sports teams or scout groups; etc. The funding is being made available through the Calor Rural Community Fund. The projects that receive the most votes will be shortlisted...

The lease of a Land Rover Discovery or Discovery Sport for 12 months is the award on offer in a competition for young people aged 21-35 who are pursuing a career in farming or other rural businesses and who want to make a difference in their local community. Bursaries will be awarded to five inspiring young people who have shown how they believe the lease of a vehicle will help them to complete their day-to-day work, project or related tasks....

Community Centres in deprived urban communities and Village Halls in remote and economically deprived rural areas can now apply for grants of between £10,000 and £45,000 for new buildings; upgrading, renovating or extending buildings; improving or creating outside space. Applications can be submitted at any time and all applicants must have already secured 50% of the total funding needed to complete the project before they apply. The fundin...

East Leicestershire LEADER has re-opened for applications and will close on 30th April 2018. Leader is a European funding programme designed to support the development of the rural economy by providing grants to small businesses, community groups, farmers, landowners and social enterprises for projects that will benefit the rural economy under six programme priorities covering projects that will increase farm productivity; support micro and sm...

The Solway, Border and Eden LEADER programme has opened for applications. Leader is a European funding programme designed to support the development of the rural economy by providing grants to small businesses and communities. The programme will run from 2015-2020 with ££2.261 million available for projects in the Solway, Border and Eden LEADER area that are relevant to the main Leader priorities. This call for proposals is for investment i...

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has announced a new, simplified Countryside Stewardship Scheme that aims to help more farmers and land managers protect wildlife and enhance the environment. The programme consists of four simpler, quicker to apply for offers (Arable, Lowland grazing, Mixed farming and Upland) that will complement the current Higher Tier and Mid-Tier offers. Each offer has a set of options, requirements, pa...

The next deadline to submit an Expression of Interest to the Worcestershire LEADER Programme 2014-2020 is the 13th April 2018. Micro or small enterprises, farmers, community groups and charities can apply for grants of between £2,500 and £50,000. Projects supported will need to address one of these themes. Development of micro and small enterprises; Development of agricultural and horticultural businesses; Development of forestry businesses...

The next application deadline for the Forth Valley LEADER Programme is 24h April 2018. A European grant scheme with additional funding from the Scottish Government, LEADER is a bottom-up method of delivering support to communities and businesses for the development of rural areas. Successful applications from Community and Voluntary Organisations, Business Associations, Public Agencies and Businesses can apply for funding but will need to dem...

As part of its commitment to make fibre broadband available throughout the UK, BT has made available a £2 million grants scheme for communities with a school. The Community Fibre Partnerships programme is aimed at the final 5% of the UK not covered by fibre broadband rollout plans. Through the programme communities can apply for a match-funded grant of up to £20,000 toward the cost of their new fibre infrastructure, if that new infrastruct...

The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, which supports charities in the UK working in agriculture and rural development has announced that the next closing date for applications is the 25th May 2018. Grants of between £1,000 and £50,000 are available. However, following a recent strategic review, the Trustees have indicated that in future, the Trust will focus on providing funding to larger initiatives, which would have a significant impact on the...