A New Fund to Support Rural Areas of West Norfolk
Introduction
Rural areas often face unique challenges with limited access to services and opportunities, which can hinder their economic growth and community development. However, a new fund has been established to address these issues and strengthen the rural areas of West Norfolk. The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) aims to provide capital grants to support both communities and businesses in the region. In this article, we will explore the key details of the fund, the support it offers, and how interested individuals and organizations can benefit from it.
Creating Stronger Rural Communities
West Norfolk Rural Communities and Venture Capital Grants aim to provide resilient local services and help communities face the challenges of rural isolation. The fund aims to support social cohesion, improve access to services and opportunities, and boost local pride. By funding innovative projects that make a difference in rural areas, the fund seeks to overcome barriers to development and create stronger, more vibrant communities.
Information Sessions for Guidance
To educate the public about the West Norfolk Rural Communities and Venture Capital Grants, two drop-in sessions have been organized. These sessions will provide individuals with an opportunity to learn more about the fund and seek guidance on project ideas. Representatives from Borough Council’s regeneration and planning departments, the Norfolk Community Foundation, New Anglia Growth Hub, and MENTA Business Support will be present at the sessions to answer questions and provide information, advice, and guidance.
Session Details:
– Tuesday, June 20: 10 am – 2 pm at Downham Market Town Hall
– Thursday, June 22: 10 am – 2 pm at Hunstanton City Hall
Capital Grants for West Norfolk Rural Communities
The West Norfolk Rural Communities Capital Grant Scheme is divided into two funding rounds: Year 1 (2023-24) and Year 2 (2024-25). In Year 1, the focus is on well-being, reducing isolation, and improving access to services and facilities. Equity grants of up to £10,000 can be made for one-year projects that support impactful volunteering and social action through equipment purchase or facility improvements. A 25% financing match is required for these grants.
In Year 2, the emphasis shifts to building infrastructure and improving local facilities. Capital grants ranging from £10,000 to £50,000 can be made for projects that contribute to the development of local civil society and community groups. These grants support larger-scale capital improvements that help communities adapt to external factors. The projects targeted by the fund aim to enhance local pride, support rural communities’ well-being, improve connectivity between areas, reduce social isolation, and enhance access to services and facilities.
Eligibility and Application Process
The West Norfolk Rural Prosperity Fund is open to a variety of organizations, including charities, voluntary organizations, community groups, parish or town councils, and social enterprises. To apply for a grant and access more information regarding eligibility and the application process, interested parties can visit the Norfolk Foundation website. The website provides comprehensive details about the fund, ensuring that applicants have all the necessary information to make a successful application.
West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants
The West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants focus on supporting new and existing rural businesses in developing new products and facilities that will benefit the local economy. This includes agricultural businesses looking to diversify their income streams. The grants are being delivered by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) on behalf of the City Council.
Funding Limitations and Application Process
It’s important to note that the funds available for business grants are limited, and grant applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses can apply for grants ranging from £10,000 to £100,000, with a maximum grant intervention of 50% of eligible capital costs, up to £100,000. The projects must be ready to proceed immediately and be fully completed by December 31, 2024. Matching financing is required for these grants.
Types of Business Grants Available
The West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants offer two types of grants for businesses:
1. Rural Micro and Small Business Equity Grants: This grant fund provides equity financing opportunities for new and existing rural businesses. It supports the development of new products and facilities that benefit the local economy. Examples of eligible projects include diversifying income streams for agricultural businesses, investing in more productive and efficient operating equipment for carbon reduction, converting farm buildings to other commercial or business uses, creating and expanding tourism and rural leisure companies, purchasing food processing equipment for non-agricultural businesses, and financing infrastructure to protect local business and community areas from natural hazards.
2. Capital Grants for the Development and Promotion of the Visitor Economy: These grants aim to develop local attractions, trails, and tourism products. Projects may include the development of visitor trails, visitor centers, and other infrastructure to support local visitor experiences based on rural offerings.
Contacting the New Anglia Growth Center
Businesses interested in applying for support through the West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants should contact the New Anglia Growth Center for information and guidance.
Conclusion
The establishment of the Rural England Prosperity Fund to support rural areas of West Norfolk is a significant step toward strengthening the economy and local communities. By providing capital grants to both communities and businesses, the fund aims to overcome the challenges faced by rural areas, such as isolation and limited access to services. Interested individuals and organizations can access support, guidance, and funding through this initiative. Whether through the West Norfolk Rural Communities Capital Grant Scheme or the West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants, these funds create opportunities for innovative projects that contribute to the overall development and well-being of West Norfolk’s rural areas.
Summary:
The Rural England Prosperity Fund has been launched to provide capital grants and support to rural areas in West Norfolk. Divided into two parts, the fund targets both communities and businesses. The West Norfolk Rural Communities Capital Grant Scheme focuses on improving access to services and facilities, reducing isolation, and enhancing well-being in rural communities. Year 1 projects can receive equity grants of up to £10,000, while Year 2 projects can receive capital grants ranging from £10,000 to £50,000. The West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants aim to support new and existing rural businesses in developing new products and facilities. Grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 are available, with a maximum grant intervention of 50% of eligible capital costs. Businesses must be ready to proceed immediately and complete their projects by December 31, 2024. Both grants are subject to specific eligibility criteria and can be applied for through the Norfolk Foundation website (for communities) and by contacting the New Anglia Growth Center (for businesses). The fund provides an opportunity to strengthen rural areas, support local economies, and enhance the overall well-being of West Norfolk’s communities.
—————————————————-
| Article | Link |
|---|---|
| UK Artful Impressions | Premiere Etsy Store |
| Sponsored Content | View |
| 90’s Rock Band Review | View |
| Ted Lasso’s MacBook Guide | View |
| Nature’s Secret to More Energy | View |
| Ancient Recipe for Weight Loss | View |
| MacBook Air i3 vs i5 | View |
| You Need a VPN in 2023 – Liberty Shield | View |
A new fund that provides capital grants to support rural areas of West Norfolk will help strengthen the economy and local communities.
Two drop-in sessions will be held for those wishing to learn more about West Norfolk Rural Communities and Venture Capital Grants and seeking guidance on project ideas:
- tuesday 20 June 10am-2pm at Downham Market Town Hall
- Thursday June 22 from 10 am to 2 pm at Huntstanton City Hall
Representatives from Borough Council’s regeneration and planning departments will be on hand along with the Norfolk Community Foundation, New Anglia Growth Hub and MENTA Business Support to answer your questions and provide information, advice and guidance that can help in the development of projects and/or businesses. .
The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) is divided into two parts, one for communities and one for businesses.
Jemma Curtis, Regeneration Programs Manager, said:
“This fund aims to support the provision of resilient local services and help communities face the challenges of rural isolation, as well as supporting social cohesion and local pride.
“For communities, it’s an opportunity to showcase some innovative projects that will make a difference for people who may face additional barriers in accessing services and opportunities.
“For businesses, it’s an opportunity to improve or expand in a way that contributes to the local economy.”
Capital Grants for West Norfolk Rural Communities
This scheme will launch on June 12 and close on August 2. The grant is being delivered by the Norfolk Community Foundation on behalf of the City Council.
Projects should have the overall objective of providing resilient community services and assets for local people to benefit the local economy, address the challenges of rural isolation, support social cohesion and boost local pride.
Funding will be available in two funding rounds: Year 1 (2023-24) and Year 2 (2024-25).
In Year 1, the West Norfolk Rural Communities Capital Grant Scheme will focus on well-being, reduce isolation and improve access to services and facilities.
Equity grants of up to £10,000 can be made for 1 year projects that support impactful volunteering and social action through the purchase of equipment or facility improvements. A 25% financing match is required.
In Year 2, the emphasis will shift to building infrastructure and improving local facilities in communities, especially where projects can demonstrate that they will have a positive impact on the environment.
Capital grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 can be made for year 2 projects that build capacity and infrastructure for local civil society and community groups through larger-scale capital improvements that can help communities adapt to factors changing externals.
The investment will target projects that enhance local pride, support the well-being of rural communities, improve connectivity between areas, reduce social isolation, and improve access to services and facilities.
The West Norfolk Rural Prosperity Fund is directed specifically to the rural areas of the county and must be used for capital projects that add something new or make an improvement (ie they cannot be used for maintenance purposes).
Grants are open to a variety of organizations, including charities and voluntary organizations, community groups, parish or town councils, and social enterprises.
For more information on the fund, eligibility and how to apply, visit the Norfolk Foundation website.
West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants
West Norfolk Rural Business Capital Grants provide funds to support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of greater benefit to the local economy. This includes agricultural businesses looking to diversify income streams.
The scheme will be launched on June 19 and is being delivered by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (New Anglia LEP) on behalf of the City Council.
There are a limited amount of funds available to support projects and grant applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses can apply for grants of between £10,000 and £100,000. The maximum grant intervention through the program will be 50% of eligible capital costs, up to a maximum value of £100,000. Matching financing must be secured and projects must be ready to proceed immediately and be fully completed by December 31, 2024.
There are two aspects of business grants available:
- Rural Micro and Small Business Equity Grants: This grant fund provides equity financing opportunities to support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of greater benefit to the local economy. This includes projects such as: agricultural businesses seeking to diversify income streams; companies looking to invest in more productive and efficient operating equipment to achieve carbon reduction on their path to net zero; conversion of farm buildings to other commercial or business uses; creation and expansion of tourism and rural leisure companies; purchase of food processing equipment for non-agricultural businesses; and financing for infrastructure to protect local business and community areas from natural hazards.
- Capital Grants for the Development and Promotion of the Visitor Economy: These grants are intended to develop local attractions, trails and tourism products in general. Projects may include the development of local visitor trails and infrastructure to support this, such as information panels, visitor centers and the broader development of visitor experiences based on local rural offerings.
Businesses wishing to apply for support should first contact the New Anglia Growth Center.
More information
For more information, see our Rural England Prosperity Fund and West Norfolk Rural Business and Community Capital Grants page.
https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/news/article/1429/rural_business_and_community_capital_grants_information_sessions
—————————————————-