Rural Community Grants Scheme

Rural Community Grants Scheme (max 80% award of project costs)

The types of projects that can be funded from these grants are shown below, these lists are not exhaustive.

The Village and Service Centre Grants Scheme offers capital grants to parish councils and qualifying community organisations:

Project examples are-

• Capital grants for provision of net zero infrastructure for rural communities and to support rural tourism activity, for example: EV charging points; community energy schemes such as scaled up biomass, heat pumps or solar.
• Funding for resilience infrastructure and nature-based solutions that protect local community areas from natural hazards including flooding.
• Establish or enhance rural green and blue infrastructure including community gardens; green spaces; watercourses and embankments; greening of streets and paths; incorporating natural features into wider public spaces.
• Develop, restore or refurbish local natural, cultural and heritage assets and sites.
• Local art galleries, museums and libraries for altering premises or providing spaces for exhibitions to support displays for artists to showcase work.
• Creation of new footpaths and cycle paths, particularly in areas of health need.
• Enable setting up or enhancement of rural community-led repair cafes or mend workshops. This includes provision of premises, tools or equipment.
• To enable people to develop volunteering and social action projects locally.
• For provision of gigabit capable digital infrastructure at rural hubs for community use, for example: village halls, pubs and post offices
• Public realm improvement (benches /defibrillators)
• Village Hall improvements (disabled access)
• Play equipment inclusive of all abilities
• To support the Social Economy through growth and innovation

Guidance notes

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling / ongoing basis, and awards made subject to the availability of funding within the overall grant pot.

Evaluation process will require applicants to demonstrate how they meet the criteria, with commensurate detail depending on amount of funding required.

The fund is significantly constrained by our funders requirements, and hard criteria exist which need adherence:

1. All spend must be completed by the deadline - there is no scope for extensions. All projects are at applicants' risk should they fail to meet deadline
2. Spend must be compliant with the Council's procurement requirements outlined in any award
3. Payment will be made in arrears - we cannot pay in advance of scheme completion

Apply for the Rural Community Grants Scheme