Rural England Prosperity Funding - 27 June deadline
We are excited to announce that we have secured £120,261 in Rural England Prosperity Funding (REPF), thanks to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This funding is now available to help rural businesses and community organisations to grow, innovate, and invest in their future.
Whether you are a farm business looking to diversify, a small enterprise exploring new products, or a local group with a community-focused project, this is your chance to apply for a capital investment grant that can make a real difference.
What the funding supports
Our REPF grant scheme is focused on small-scale capital investment projects that benefit the local economy and support sustainable growth.
- Grant size: £5,000 – £30,000.
- Applicant contribution: minimum 30% match funding required.
- Spending deadline: all funding must be used by 31 March 2026.
Funding is for capital assets only, such as equipment, buildings, or infrastructure expected to last more than one year.
Who can apply?
You can apply if you are a registered organisation or business operating in a rural area of Lichfield District and meet the following:
- Fewer than 50 employees.
- Annual turnover under £10.2 million.
- Must be legally registered (e.g. with HMRC, Companies House, or Charity Commission).
Eligible applicants include:
- Sole traders and small businesses.
- Charities and voluntary organisations.
- Public sector bodies (e.g. parish councils).
- Education providers (e.g. colleges and universities).
Please note: you cannot apply if your project has already received DEFRA funding (e.g. Farming Investment Fund, Farming in Protected Landscapes, or the Jubilee Village Hall Fund).
Is your location eligible?
Funding is available in rural areas as defined by DEFRA:
- Towns, villages, and hamlets with fewer than 10,000 people.
- ‘Hub towns’ of up to 30,000 people serving surrounding rural areas.
Check your eligibility using the DEFRA magic map:
- Select Administrative Geographies > Other Administrative Boundaries > Rural England Prosperity Fund
- Enter your postcode or zoom in on your location.
- Use the Identify Tool to check if your location qualifies.
Apply now
To apply, please fill in our online expression of interest form by Friday 27 June 2025 at 4pm.
Our team will review all submissions after the closing date and invite shortlisted applicants to complete a full application in early July, which may include a site visit and requests for further information.
Contact us
If you have any questions, please email our team at policyandstrategy@lichfielddc.gov.uk