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Communities and businesses can take advantage of two Grow Up! grant schemes
Our Grow Up! programme is supporting rural communities with two grant schemes that can benefit community groups and businesses.
But you need to hurry if you’re going to apply – the deadlines for the two grants expire in September.
Grow Up! is an East Hampshire-wide programme, funded by the UK Government, to support our rural economy, reconnect people with countryside, and provide new skills, new careers and new opportunities for our residents.
Through six separate schemes, Grow Up! will span support for businesses, mental health, education, social cohesion and environmental sustainability.
Our great Grow Up! grants
Rural Grant
Application deadline - Thursday 12 September
The Rural Grant is a scheme to improve local tourism and make stronger communities.
The fund is ideal for businesses and local groups with projects that offer attractions for visitors and tourists alongside tangible benefits to local residents.
This year the fund will allocate grants of more than £300,000 across the district as part of our ambitious Grow Up! programme.
The Rural Grant will be available for grants of between £15,000 and £50,000
The Grow Up! Community Fund
Application deadline – Monday 16 September
The Grow Up! Community Fund has been set up to support sustainable projects that emphasise rural skills and benefit the community.
The £130,000 fund will focus on reconnecting residents with our district’s rich rural heritage, providing volunteer opportunities and strengthening community cohesion – all priorities for the Grow Up! programme.
Projects can vary from community gardens to enriching our local biodiversity, and from constructing an outdoor classroom to arranging cookery classes.
Applications can be for capital projects from £5,000 to £25,000. More than one application can be submitted.
What Grow Up! has to offer you
The vision for Grow Up! is to support and develop new and existing community-led projects in growing, planting, education, skills, biodiversity, workshops, farm visits, kitchen gardens and mental and physical wellbeing.
The Grow Up! programme is being funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which East Hampshire District Council has designated to help rural communities.
There are six main strands, of which the Grow Up Community Fund and the Rural Grants scheme are two.
The other four schemes are:
Rural Grow Up! Hubs
Working with Butser Ancient Farm we will help fund a new building on site that will transform the volunteering experience and offer traditional skills and rural crafts that will recall our inspirational history and heritage.
The Rural New Directions Employment Outreach
The Rural New Directions Outreach will help people currently out of work back into economic activity.
Rural Business Network
The Rural Business Network helps the council to bring together local rural businesses by providing advice, opportunities and funding to the local business community.
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme will improve skills and employment opportunities and support local businesses by offering work placements and apprenticeships