Grants of up to £10,000 available for rural businesses and community groups

A grant scheme aiming to strengthen rural economies and communities by funding capital projects is now open.

Offering up to £10,000 to rural businesses and community groups, the grant, which does not need to be repaid, is funded by the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). Chelmsford City Council has £120,261 to allocate for the 2025/26 period.

Applying for a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant

The REPF grant scheme is now open. Applications will close on Monday 30 June 2025.

The grant must be used for capital projects, meaning the money has to be spent on buying or improving assets that have a useful life of over 12 months, such as buildings or equipment. The fund supports:

• New and existing rural businesses in developing new products and facilities to benefit the local economy.
• New and improved community infrastructure, providing essential services and assets for local people and businesses.

Applicants must also have at least 20% match funding in place. 

Previous projects funded by Rural England Prosperity Fund. Click on each image to read more details.

Check the eligibility criteria

This funding is specifically for rural areas which the REPF criteria defines as:

• Towns, villages, and hamlets with populations below 10,000.
• Market or hub towns with populations up to 30,000 that serve surrounding rural areas.

Large areas of the Chelmsford district will be eligible for the funding, but the definition generally excludes locations close to Chelmsford city centre and South Woodham Ferrers. You can check if your business or community group meets the criteria by visiting the government’s interactive MAGIC map and following the instructions on the council’s website under "eligibility."

How community groups and businesses could use the grant

This is the third year the fund has been available, with 29 projects receiving grants so far.

Funding can be used for:

• small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas;
• growing the local social economy and supporting innovation;
• developing and promoting the visitor economy;
• investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civic society and community groups;
• creation and improvements to local rural green spaces;
• existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions that make up the local cultural heritage offer;
• local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities;
• impactful volunteering and social action projects.

To read more about successful projects from previous years, visit the Chelmsford City Council website and look under the “previously funded projects” drop down.

Previous projects funded by Rural England Prosperity Fund. Click on each image to read more details.

Commenting on the release of a new round of funding, Chelmsford City Councillor Simon Goldman, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property, said:

“

“Across the Chelmsford district there are bound to be many businesses and community groups to which a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant could make a real difference. Since the grant doesn’t need to be repaid, it’s a fantastic opportunity to be creative and ambitious, and bring ideas to life. Our Economic Development team is happy to assist if you have questions about the application process - please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

Cllr Simon Goldman, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Property

For more information about the Rural England Prosperity Fund grant and how to apply, visit:
https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/business/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-ukspf/rural-england-prosperity-fund/