Rural Development

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 £60,000 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...

This funding programme designed to support the development of the rural economy provides grants of £5,000 - £35,000 to small businesses and community organisations for usually 40% of project costs. Having been closed to new applications since February 2018, a small amount of additional funds has now become available for applications under the Rural Tourism and Micro / Small Business and Farm Diversification priorities only. Expressions of I...

The Princes Trust Countryside Fund will re-open for applications in January 2019. Each year, the fund provides more than £1m in grants to projects across the UK. Organisations and charities that support farmers, rural businesses and communities can apply for grants of up to £50,000. Funding is available for both capital and revenue costs and must meet at least one of the following key rural issues: improve the prospects or viability for fami...

The government has committed £30 million for further rounds of the Countryside Productivity Small Grants scheme (CPSGS), which helps farmers buy the equipment they need to boost productivity and increase yields. The first round of funding for small grants was launched in February and the government is on course to grant more than £15 million to farmers who applied to buy new kit. This will include equipment specific to cattle, sheep and pi...

IGas Energy Plc is one of the UK's leading onshore hydrocarbon producers has announced that its Community Energy Fund has opened for applications. The fund covers specific areas of Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Cheshire and Scotland where the company operates. IGas support projects that make a difference to life in the mainly rural communities where they operate. Organisations that are eligible to apply include comm...

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...

Rural communities in England that want to develop renewable energy projects which provide economic and social benefits to their communities can apply for funding for feasibility and pre-planning development work to help their projects become investment ready. Grants of up to £20,000 to pay for an initial investigation into the feasibility of a renewable energy project as well as unsecured loans of up to £130,000 to support planning applicat...