Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)

Breckland council is making available funding utilizing the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) to support two grant schemes:

Rural Community Grants Scheme
Rural Business Growth Grants

	Rural Community Grants	Rural Business Growth Grants
Description	Capital grants to help local places	Capital grants to help businesses boost productivity, support innovation and enable diversification in the Breckland economy.
Eligible	Breckland-based Parish Councils, Charities, CICs and Community Organisations Legal entity incorporated for at least 12-months	Breckland-based business with at least 12 months trading history
Thresholds	£1,000 - £20,000	£5,000 - £50,000
Intervention Rate	80%	50%
Deadline for project completion	1^st Feb 2025	1^st Feb 2025
Evaluation Criteria for award (must be covered in submission)	ROI of the scheme Improves places Supports local and regional policy objectives Locally supported Achievable / deliverable scheme	ROI of the scheme Supports / sustains jobs Achieves greater economic activity Is not achievable without public sector support Achievable / deliverable scheme
Evidence Required (scaled depending on amount sought)	Compliant procurement plan / proposals Business Case / Business Plan for the Scheme Local support evidence	Compliant procurement plan / proposals Business Case / Business Plan for the Scheme
Further information	Rural Community Grants Scheme	Rural Business Growth Grant

Eligible Costs

Capital grant funding for creation and improvements to local rural green spaces.
Capital grant funding for impactful volunteering and social action projects to develop social and human capital in local places.
Funding to support Jobs
Funding to support economic growth
The activity and investment must take place within Breckland.
(this list is not exhaustive)

Ineligible Costs

Purchase of land or buildings
Works to domestic/residential properties
No revenue costs or running costs, for example consumables, stationary, salaries
Services, for example solicitor fees, legal insurance
Marketing, websites and software
Training
Vehicles, trailers
Items purchases through hire purchase agreements.
Legal fees
Professional Fees
(this list is not exhaustive)

All applications will be required to demonstrate how they can achieve one or more of the outputs shown below:

Improved perception of facility or infrastructure project
Improved perception of facilities or amenities
Improved perceived or experienced accessibility
Increased footfall
Increased visitor numbers
Improved engagement numbers
Improved perception of local facilities or amenities
Increase in volunteering numbers as a result of support.

Exclusions to who can apply:

Farmers seeking grant support for primary production products.
Gambling and betting establishments
Any business activity that is illegal or deemed unsuitable for public support by Breckland Council or Defra

The grant must be match funded by the applicant. This is the difference between the grant you are seeking and the remaining cost of your project. The source of the match funding cannot be from other public funds for the item you are purchasing.

All projects - must be able to demonstrate value for money and additionality and consider the project's impact on our natural environment. Reporting and marketing requirements will be part of any successful award. All applications will be reviewed by the Grant Panel. Each proposal will be reviewed on its merits and if it effectively addresses the guidance and will be a benefit to the community or stakeholders.

Apply for the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)