Rural England Prosperity Fund
Stroud District Council was awarded funding for a third year 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.
*Due to high demand in Round 1, all REPF & SPF capital grants for 2025-26 have been allocated. We are not accepting applications for Round 2. However, you may submit an application which will be kept on a reserve list, in case further funding becomes available. There is no guarantee of further funding, and submitting an application does not mean it will be assessed or considered by the grants panel.
Total REPF funding for 2025/26 was £120,261. Applications were open to businesses and community groups in eligible rural areas for grants to support capital projects, such as building work, large tools, and equipment.
In addition, Stroud District Council had £40,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grants for capital projects located anywhere in the Stroud district. This grant fund will be administered in the same way as REPF, following the same application process and eligibility criteria, with the exception of location.
REPF & SPF grants will support projects within the following categories:
• Growing the local social economy and supporting innovation
• Small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas
• The development and promotion of the visitor economy
• Existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions which make up the local cultural heritage offer
• Local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities
• Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups
• Rural circular economy projects
• Impactful volunteering and social action projects to develop social and human capital
• Investment and support for digital infrastructure for local community facilities
• Creation of and improvements to local rural green space
• Active travel enhancements in the local area
Grants will be between £5,000 - £20,000 with 60% match funding, or £5,000 - £10,000 with no match funding.
Grant timeline:
|
Activity |
Round 1 |
|
|
Application submission deadline |
23/06/2025 |
|
|
Grants Panel Meeting |
04/07/2025 |
|
|
Grant claim deadline |
28/02/2026 |
28/02/2026 |
Stroud District Council will distribute the funds 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.
The map below provides details on all the projects which were awarded Rural England Prosperity Fund grants in 2022-23 & 2023-24.
Contact Economic Development
Economic Development
Stroud District Council
Ebley Mill
Ebley Wharf
Stroud
GL5 4UB