Rural businesses and community groups in East Hampshire will be able to apply for grants of up to £50,000 through a scheme set up with Government funding.
The Rural Grant Programme provides capital grants to support the rural businesses and infrastructure with a view to prioritising the visitor economy and community inclusion.
The grants will be administered by East Hampshire District Council and applications can be submitted from 9am on Monday 31 July.
Cllr Rob Mocatta, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Prosperity said: “EHDC is delighted to have been awarded these funds from central government. As a rural district, to be able to support important projects with a capital grant is crucial to those organisations which serve the residents of East Hampshire and those visiting to see what the area has to offer.”
The Rural Grant Programme funding follows the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which East Hampshire District Council has designated to help rural communities through the Grow Up! Programme.
Grants range from £5,000 to £50,000 and, depending on the community and social impact of the scheme, may not require match funding.
Applicants need to submit their bids through a MyEHDC account, by 11.59am on Friday 29 September 2023. Next year’s application process for grants from this pot will open from April 2024.
To help make the application process easier, we will be running a webinar and a drop-in session to answer any questions.
The webinar will be held at noon on Tuesday 8 August 2023. The session will be recorded and a link to the recording will be available afterwards.
The drop-in session for potential applicants to ask questions at Penns Place, Petersfield, GU31 4EX from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday 9 August 2023.
To book please contact: business@easthants.gov.uk.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UKSPF
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.