Rural England Prosperity Fund: 2025–26 Round Announced

Defra has confirmed the second round of the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), (The Rural Fund), running from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. Each rural local authority has been allocated funding and will manage its own scheme, with all project funding and claims needing to be completed by 31st March 2026.

What is the Rural England Prosperity Fund?

Rural areas often face unique challenges, including:

• Lower productivity rates
• Poorer connectivity
• Limited access to key services

The REPF is designed to support the government’s Missions and the Farming and Countryside Programme, funding capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure. This initiative aims to boost productivity, strengthen rural economies, and enhance rural communities.

Key Funding Priorities

1. Supporting Local Businesses

This theme falls under the Supporting Local Business priority and focuses on:

• Kickstarting the economy
• Breaking down barriers to opportunity

Funding is available for:
✅ Growing the local social economy and supporting innovation
✅ Small-scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas

2. Communities and Place

This priority has two themes: Thriving Places and Healthy, Safe, and Inclusive Communities.

Thriving Places

Supports:

• Kickstarting the economy
• Breaking down barriers to opportunity

Funding covers:
✅ Development and promotion of the visitor economy
✅ Support for cultural, historic, and heritage institutions
✅ Local arts, cultural, heritage, and creative activities

Healthy, Safe, and Inclusive Communities

Supports:

• Kickstarting the economy
• Breaking down barriers to opportunity

Funding covers:
✅ Local arts, cultural, heritage, and creative activities
✅ Investment in local civil society and community groups
✅ Rural circular economy projects
✅ Volunteering and social action initiatives
✅ Digital infrastructure for local community facilities
✅ Improvements to rural green spaces
✅ Enhancements to active travel networks

How the Fund Works

The REPF operates alongside existing Defra schemes, including:

• Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme
• Farming Investment Fund
• Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund

Funding is available to:
✅ Support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that benefit the wider local economy—including farm businesses looking to diversify income streams.
✅ Enhance community infrastructure, ensuring access to essential services and assets for local people and businesses.

👉 Check with your local authority for specific application windows and grant rates.

Next Steps

Each local authority will manage its own REPF scheme, meaning grant application timelines and eligibility criteria may vary. To stay updated:
✅ Contact your local authority for funding details
✅ Prepare potential project proposals early
✅ Consider how your project aligns with the REPF’s priorities

With targeted investment, the 2025–26 round of the Rural England Prosperity Fund offers rural communities and businesses an opportunity to secure vital funding for economic growth and resilience. Stay informed and get ready to apply!