Rural England Prosperity Fund

THIS GRANT SCHEME IS NOW CLOSED

What is the Rural Fund?

Rural areas often face specific challenges including:

• lower productivity rates
• poorer connectivity
• poorer access to key services

The Rural Fund supports the aims of the government's Levelling Up White Paper and Future Farming Programme. It funds capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure. This will help to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.

The Rural Fund is integrated into the UKSPF which supports productivity and prosperity in places that need it most.  It supports activities that specifically address the particular challenges rural areas face. 

The Rural Fund sits alongside existing Defra schemes, including:

• Funding for Farmers in Protected Landscapes (opens new window)
• Farming Investment Fund (opens new window)

Within this capital project fund we have four schemes which are available for application these are:

• Rural Fund - Businesses can apply for up to 50% of total project costs - Minimum grant £2,500 - Maximum Grant £25,000
• Business Growth Fund - Businesses can apply for up to 50% of total project costs - Minimum Grant £5,000 - Maximum Grant £50,000
• Local Centre Improvement Fund - Businesses can apply for grants up to £10,000 with grant available to cover up to 80% of costs.
• Community Infrastructure Fund - Businesses can apply for up to 50% of total cost projects - Minimum grant £2,500 - Maximum Grant £20,000