Funding for rural businesses and organisations
A new grant scheme has been launched for rural businesses and organisations based in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse.
The fund is designed to support capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure that help to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.
Interested parties are encouraged to submit their application before midday on Friday 24 November 2023 by visiting the South Oxfordshire District Council or Vale of White Horse District Council website.
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have secured this funding through the government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) as part of the levelling up agenda.
Grant funding is available for small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas, growing the local social economy and supporting innovation, investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups.
Example projects include the diversification of farm buildings outside of agriculture, establishment of rural community businesses and net-zero infrastructure.
Who can apply?
Town and Parish Councils, public sector organisations, higher and further education institutions, private sector companies, registered charities, constituted community-based organisations, social enterprises (like CICs) are eligible for the scheme.
A grant panel will then meet in February 2024 to discuss each project and assess which projects should receive funding.
Please note that to be eligible for REPF funding, a business or organisation must be located within an eligible area as defined by Magic Maps. To check if your postcode is eligible, please follow the link, select ‘Administrative Geographies’, ‘Other Administrative Boundaries’, then ‘Rural England Prosperity Fund’ from the list of the left of the screen.
The fund supports the aims of the government’s Levelling Up White Paper and Future Farming Programme. For more information visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/rural-england-prosperity-fund-prospectus
