Grants and loans for existing businesses

Many grant schemes are only open to new applicants for a limited period. Business grant schemes may also be specific to:

certain types of business
specific types of investment
businesses within a specific location

Links to information on grants can be found below.

We also publish information on grants and loans for new businesses.

We will share updates on new grant schemes via our free business support enews. You can sign up to receive it at https://www.newforest.gov.uk/businessnewsletter

Grants from New Forest District Council

We do not have our own business grants scheme.

On occasions we administer grants on behalf of the government or in collaboration with our partners. When these grants are available they will be listed on this webpage.

Rural England Prosperity Fund

Local Authorities have been allocated funding from Government under the Rural England Prosperity Fund, part of The UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government's Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus

The Rural England Prosperity Fund Grants for businesses

The New Forest scheme is now open for applications. You can find comprehensive details about the scheme, who can apply and to check if your businesses is in the Rural Fund area.

The scheme will close to applications on 01 August 2024, or when funding is fully allocated, whichever is soonest.

If your business is not eligible for the Rural Fund, you will find links to other sources of funding on this page.

Please sign up to our free business support enewsletter and on Twitter for updates about the Rural Fund and other schemes to support your business: @NFDCBizUpdates.

Please also continue to monitor this webpage for updates.

The Rural England Prosperity Fund Grants for Community Infrastructure

The Council is also administering The Rural England Prosperity Fund Grants for Community Infrastructure which closed to applications on 31 October 2023.

Grants and financial support from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership

The New Forest is served by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). It is a locally owned partnership between businesses and local authorities.  

Solent LEP have a range of funding opportunities. Their team can also use a free grant finder service while speaking to you over the phone to source finance and grant funding from around the world. Contact Solent LEP.

Grants and financial support from Government

'Find a grant' is a service that allows you to search all government grants. You can access it at https://www.find-government-grants.service.gov.uk

Funding for farmers, growers and land managers

The Government has a range of grants and other funding to increase productivity, manage your land to benefit the environment and support your agricultural business at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/funding-for-farmers