£162k allocated to support rural communities and businesses

7 May 2025

We have allocated £162,000 from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) to support local businesses, community initiatives and rural infrastructure.

The decision, taken at Cabinet on 7 May, approved the allocation of the government fund, administrated by ourselves.

Funding has been awarded to PEDALL (£25k), and New Forest Producer Support (£20k). PEDALL supports individuals with disabilities enjoy outdoor activities through cycling in the New Forest and the New Forest Producer project supports micro and small local producers to develop their businesses.

£107k of the funding will also go towards our Community Grant Scheme and Supporting Local Business Grant Scheme. It is anticipated that both the Community Grant Scheme and Supporting Local Business Grant Scheme will be live for applications in early June. A further £10k will also be made available as capital funding to support the Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET) programme. More information relating to all the schemes will be available on our website from mid-May.

Cllr Derek Tipp, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economy, said: "We're keen to create healthy communities, deliver growth, and promote a strong local economy, as outlined in our Corporate Plan. The allocated funds from the Rural Prosperity Fund will bring benefits to rural areas, boost local economies, and improve community facilities, supporting projects to build their capacity for the future."

More information

• The £162,005 has been added to the capital programme for 2025/26, fully financed through the government grant.

• REPF can only be spent in towns, villages and hamlets with populations below 10,000 and the wider countryside, or market or hub towns with populations of up to 30,000.

• The Community Grant Scheme supports local groups and organisations with projects requiring capital investment. The Supporting Local Business Grant Scheme supports businesses with projects requiring capital investment.

• The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) was originally launched in 2022 alongside the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The REPF funding is in addition to the UKSPF funding that was considered by Cabinet in April 2025.

• NFDC was originally allocated £540,115 from the REPF from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025.

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