Rural Development

The application process is closing for the Wash Fens LEADER programme is closing; Expressions of Interest must now be submitted by the 1st September 2018. Local businesses, farmers, foresters and those involved in tourism, heritage and community initiatives can apply for grants of £2,500 upwards to support activities that will boost the rural economy.

Organisations of any size can apply for a share of up to £250,000 to develop technologies that connect both young people and older adults in rural areas. This is a challenge fund that consists of three parts: reducing loneliness for digitally excluded older people; co-ordinating transport to increase people’s ability to travel whilst reducing public subsidy; and better connecting people in rural areas to improve well-being. Applications for...

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 6th August to the 5th October 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...

Charities working in rural areas to support the education of young people or relief of poverty have until 26th October 2018 to apply for grants of up to £55,000. The funding is available for mainly larger projects that would have a significant impact upon rural economies. Projects supported in the past have ranged from City farms, Federations of Young Farmers Clubs and farming Community Networks. The funding is being made available through...

Charites and community groups are amongst the organisations invited to apply for funding for sustainable development projects that build capacity and genuinely support or involve communities within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Grants of up to £10,000 for up to 50% of project costs are available. The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) has been allocated £200,000 for 2018/19 to support projects which bring organisations together in partne...

Small grants of up to £500 are available to enable village halls and community centres to purchase items of equipment to help meet the needs of their local community. Examples of things that have been funded previously include: Hearing loops or equipment to assist disabled users; tables, chairs and other furniture and audio and visual equipment (e.g. a PA system) and portable staging. Organisations located within Shropshire, preferably regist...

Shropshire Grassroots Fund supports small, volunteer-led groups with an annual income of less than £30,000. Locally managed voluntary or community groups, active in their local community for not less than 12 months that are volunteer-can apply for grants of up to £500 that can cover 100% of project costs or as part of a larger project. Grants can cover for example, the purchase of equipment, e.g. play equipment, oven or furniture, training...

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...

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...

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 an Ofsted registered 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 £30,000 toward the cost of their new fibre infrastructure, if tha...

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 26th October 2018. Grants of between £1,000 and £50,000 are available. The Trustees are particularly interested in initiatives in the areas of education of young people in rural areas and relief of poverty within rural areas. Projects supported in the past include Fa...

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...

A new Community Environmental Projects Fund has opened with grants of £750 - £1,000 available to enable local community volunteers to make a contribution to their village or parish. Public, private, and voluntary sector organisations, individuals, businesses, community groups and local authorities are all eligible to apply. Offered by the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership and the Coast Care Initiativ...

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...