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Rural England Prosperity Fund

Stroud District Council has been awarded funding through the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), administered by DEFRA. The funding will support capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure which improves productivity and strengthens the rural economy and local communities.

Applications to the REPF are now open and welcomed from rural businesses and community organisations based in eligible rural areas. The total funding for the Stroud District for years 2023-4 and 2024-5 is £100,000 and £300,000 respectively. 

 

Organisations can apply for grants of £3,000 - £20,000. The funding is for capital projects and must be spent on lasting assets such as a building or equipment. In most cases, 60% match funding will be required.  

 

Stroud District Council will distribute the Fund in alignment with the objectives set out in our Council Plan and our Economic Development Strategy, including those relating to Environment & Climate Change, Support for Businesses, and Community Resilience and Wellbeing.  

 

Applications for Rural Grants are open until 28th February 2025. Our grant funding panel will meet at the following times to discuss each eligible project and to determine the successful applications: 

Activity 

Round One 

Round Two 

Application submission deadline 

01/12/2023 

17/01/2024 

Assessment period 

01/12 – 8/12/2023 

17/01 – 24/01/2024 

Grants Panel 

12/12/2023 

25/01/2024 

Grant Funding Agreements issued for review and signature  

By 12/12/2023 

By 01/02/2024 

Deadline for return of signed Grant Funding Agreements 

By 5/01/2024 

By 19/02/2024 

Spend to be confirmed **grant will be available 7 – 14 days after confirmation of spend  

28/02/2024 

28/02/2024 

Businesses / organisations must be located in eligible rural areas within the Stroud District, as defined by DEFRA. All applicants should refer to the Guidance Notes for further information on the scheme and instructions on how to check eligibility.   

The following organisations are eligible to apply for REPF: 

  • Micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees) 
  • Small businesses (fewer than 250 employees) 
  • Social enterprises & CICs 
  • Town & Parish councils  
  • Registered charities  
  • Public sector organisations 
  • Higher and Further Education Institutions 
  • Constituted community / voluntary groups. 

REPF will be of interest to organisations operating in the following areas: 

  • Tourism & the visitor economy 
  • Heritage   
  • Farm diversification 
  • Co-working spaces, networking groups & shared workspaces 
  • Food & drink entrepreneurs, breweries 
  • Pet / equine facilities & health 
  • Arts & cultural organisations, galleries, museums, libraries 
  • Community shops & hubs 
  • Community gardens, green spaces 
  • Repair cafes & mend workshops. 

To apply for REPF, organisations are required to provide evidence of the need for the project, and to detail how the project will deliver against the scheme’s interventions, objectives, outcomes and outputs, as defined by DEFRA (link below). In brief, your project must meet one of the following objectives: 

For micro and small businesses:  

  • Innovation activities 
  • Job creation and community cohesion. This could include improvements to local retail, hospitality and leisure facilities  
  • Enhancing local tourism and the visitor economy 
  • Transitioning to a low carbon economy.  

For community projects: 

  • To foster a sense of local pride and belonging, through activities that enhance physical, cultural and social amenities, or through community events or projects. This could include improvements to community infrastructure, local green spaces or new / enhanced community-led projects.  

If you are interested in applying for the scheme please read the Guidance Notes document to assist you in completing an application form. Completed applications should be emailed to economic.development@stroud.gov.uk no later than the timescales above. The Application Form, Guidance Notes and further information on the REPF can be found below.  

Further information: 

 

Contact Us – Economic Development 

economic.development@stroud.gov.uk  

Economic Development 

Stroud District Council 

Ebley Mill 

Ebley Wharf 

Stroud 

GL5 4UB 

 

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