The deadline for expressions of interest is Monday 27 May at 1pm.
Grants are available for small rural businesses and organisations in Lichfield to support activities that specifically address the particular challenges rural areas face, as part of the Rural England Prosperity Fund programme.
This programme is provided by Lichfield District Council from funding allocated through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). The REPF is provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as a top-up to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – the UK Government’s replacement for EU funding following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
All places across the UK have received an allocation of UKSPF support. In order to access the money, councils submitted local investment plans to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Community for approval. The plans reflect local needs and opportunities. They have been developed by a range of local partners from different sectors working with the lead local authorities.
The Rural England Prosperity Fund aims to support activities that specifically address the particular challenges rural areas face.
Lichfield District Council is offering funding to help micro and small rural businesses and farms in the district expand or diversify, to enable greener, low carbon farming and the conversion of farm buildings for other commercial uses.
The programme has a total fund value of £200,000.
Grants are provided at the discretion of Lichfield District Council.
Any small rural business/organisation with legal status can apply, including parish councils, public sector organisations, voluntary organisations, charities, higher and further education institutions and private companies. They must have:
- Less than 50 employees.
- A turnover of no more than £10.2 million,
- A balance sheet showing less than £5.1 million.
Funding can support a wide variety of projects including: new onsite accommodation, creation of a wedding venue, establishing new pet and equine facilities (including kennels or livery), infrastructure to protect against flooding, purchasing process and packaging machinery such as brewing equipment, modernising kitchen facilities etc.
