Rural England Prosperity Fund

Funded by UK Government logo

We have been allocated £120,261 from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) for 2025-26 to provide capital grant funding for both businesses and community organisations in rural areas.

This is a competitive grant scheme and therefore it will not always be possible to fund every eligible application.

These grants aim to generate employment opportunities & business growth, strengthen community cohesion & resilience and improve local facilities and amenities.

We are now inviting applications from small businesses, community organisations and Parish Councils.

What projects will be considered?

Rural Businesses

Small businesses with less than 50 employees and a turnover under £10 million can apply for:

  • capital funding for equipment that directly supports job creation and retention
  • up to 50% of your costs, with a maximum grant of £10,000
  • You must be ready to make your purchase and your project MUST be completed by 31 December 2025.

Rural Communities 

Voluntary organisations, registered charities and Parish Councils can apply for:

  • funding for equipment that benefits local communities
  • up to 100% of your costs, with a maximum grant of £10,000.
  • You must be ready to make your purchase and your project MUST be completed by 31 December 2025.

Location

  • Your organisation MUST be based within the REPF area shown on Defra's Magic Map.

    (From the navigation panel click 'Map Layers', 'Administrative Geographies', Other Administrative Boundaries', 'Rural England Prosperity Fund')

Projects we are unable to fund

This scheme cannot be used for the purchase of equipment by farmers for food processing that could otherwise be funded under DEFRA’s Farming Investment Fund (FIF).

The application process

Before you apply please read the Rural England Prosperity Fund Prospectus.

  • Applications open 2 October 25 and close Friday 7 November 2025
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to provide further information to complete their applications. This includes recent bank statements and accounts and other relevant documents such as your Constitution.
  • Qualifying applications will be considered by our grant panel w/c 10 November and successful applicants will be notified the following week.
  • Applicants will be asked to:
    • demonstrate how their project fits with the REPF investment priorities and the government’s missions
    • evidence that they have sufficient funds to pay for the project costs upfront as grant payments will be made in arrears
    • include three quotes where possible
    • provide further information including:
      • recent bank statements and accounts
      • Constitution (community organisations)
      • Business plan (new businesses)
      • Successful and unsuccessful projects will be notified.
      • If the funds are not fully committed the scheme will be re-opened for applications

Submit an application

Please complete our application form and return to us by mid-day on Friday 7 November 2025.

Funding will be awarded on the basis that applicants have all necessary permissions and licences in place to undertake any activity arising from the equipment purchased with this grant - we may ask for evidence before a grant agreement is issued, however this is the sole responsibility of the applicant.

 

Previous REPF grant schemes

Previous awards from the Rural England Prosperity Fund were as follows:

  • March 2023 to April 2024: £100,000
  • April 2024 to March 2025: £300,000

Successful applicants 

BusinessGrant awardedProject
Bay Trust £30,000 Refurbishment of holiday let to support charity.
Kentish Condiments £90,000 Factory infrastructure and equipment to upscale business. 
Bechange £15,550 Insulated timber building to extend the Community Garden.
Woodnesborough Community Project £20,000 Clubhouse refurbishment
The Coldred Forum £24,999 Coldred pond refurbishment
Sandwich Community Hub: the Jubilee Centre £35,000 Community hub/workshop
Sutton Parish Community Centre £30,000 Car park surface and 2 electric charging points.
Aylesham & District Community Workshop Trust £40,000 New café and entrance
Gazen Salts Nature Reserve £11,200 New boardwalk and groundworks
Aly Young Law  £12,000 New office for business expansion
Green Hub Recycling £19,500 Recycling equipment
Solton Events £30,403 Conversion of building to indoor wedding venue
Limekiln Wood Clay Shoot £10,348 Clay shoot equipment
SW Kenton and Son £20,000 Conversion of building to farm shop and café
Betteshanger Country Park £11,000 New outdoor education centre