Rural Community Project Fund opens for 2025/26

A project call for rural areas of West Norfolk is opening again, inviting expressions of interest for grants to support projects that create new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people in West Norfolk.

The Rural England Prosperity Fund is provided by the Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and administered by the Borough Council. The project call provides opportunities for grants of £10,000-£50,000 to fund up to 80% of eligible costs for capital projects.

Councillor Jo Rust, the council’s Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said:

“The rural nature of West Norfolk is a major reason why people love this part of the world but it can also present challenges for communities and businesses.

“This fund aims to support local communities in a range of ways, for example improving green space, creating new amenities, enhancing active travel options or promoting tourism.

“If you have a good idea for a project that will benefit our rural communities, please send us your expression of interest – we’d love to hear from you.”

The scheme opens for Expressions of Interest on Monday 19 May and closes on Monday 16 June.

Projects must meet the objectives of the West Norfolk Economic Vision and Strategy, which will guide the 2025-26 investment of REPF across rural West Norfolk.

The West Norfolk Rural Prosperity Fund is specifically aimed at rural areas of the borough and must be used for capital projects that add something new or make an improvement (i.e. they cannot be used for maintenance purposes).

Grants are open to a range of organisations, including charities and voluntary organisations, community groups, parish or town councils and social enterprises.

Projects should be able to achieve one or more of the following outputs:

• Create or improve green or blue space
• Create or improve amenities
• Create or improve cycleways or footpaths
• Create or improve tourism, culture or heritage assets
• Deliver local events or activities

Interested parties can apply online at www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/repfcommunityinterest

More information on the West Norfolk Economic Strategy is available here: www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/economicstrategy