We have secured £120,261 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), to support the growth and diversification of rural businesses across the district.
This capital funding is now open for expressions of interest, enabling micro and small rural enterprises to apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £30,000. Successful applicants must provide at least 30% match funding and complete all spending by 31 March 2026.
The funding aims to support small-scale investment projects that develop new products, services, or facilities with a wider economic benefit to the local community. It is particularly suited to farm businesses looking to diversify their income and other small enterprises seeking to grow sustainably.
Councillor Richard Holland, Cabinet Member for High Street & Economic Development at Lichfield District Council said: “We’ve already seen how Rural England Prosperity Funding can spark innovation, whether that’s enabling a local catering business to expand into rural markets or supporting the creation of a new nature trail that attracts more visitors to our countryside.
“Lichfield District Council is fully committed to backing our rural economy. These communities are vital to the character and strength of the district, and this fund is a key part of ensuring they can thrive, innovate, and continue to play a central role in our local economic success.”
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Small businesses (less than 50 employees and under £10.2m turnover)
- Registered charities
- Sole traders and partnerships (with HMRC UTRs)
- Parish councils, public sector bodies, and educational institutions
Applicants must be located within a rural area as defined by DEFRA. A step-by-step guide is available online via the Magic Map Application to help determine location eligibility.
How to apply
To apply, please fill in our online expression of interest form by Friday 27 June 2025
Visit our community and business funding section for more information.
For questions or support, email policyandstrategy@lichfielddc.gov.uk