Funding Boost for Rural Newark and Sherwood: REPF Grant Programme Opens Today!

This funding opportunity is designed to support the growth and resilience of the local rural economy and communities by offering capital grants between £10,000 and £40,000 to eligible organisations located in designated rural areas of Newark and Sherwood.

Whether you're a community group aiming to improve local facilities, a rural enterprise looking to expand, or an organisation with a project that could boost tourism, sustainability, or local heritage - this grant could help turn your ideas into reality.

The programme is open to eligible enterprises, voluntary and community groups, charities, clubs, and other legally constituted organisations.

Applicants must be based in a rural area of Newark and Sherwood as defined by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). To check if your area is eligible, visit the DEFRA website or email UKSPF@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.

The funding can be used for a wide range of capital projects, including, but not limited to, expanding rural tourism or leisure businesses, creating community hubs or green spaces, community energy schemes, improving heritage or cultural sites and supporting local food production and circular economy initiatives.

Commercial organisations must contribute at least 40% of the total project cost and community/not-for-profit organisations must contribute a minimum of 20% funding. All projects must be completed by 31 January 2026.

Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “After seeing how much the previous rounds of funding helped successful applicants, we are pleased to launch the Rural England Prosperity Fund Grant Programme through additional funds awarded to the Council, to support our local organisations that are the backbone of our rural areas.

“This funding will help unlock new opportunities, strengthen local economies, and enhance the quality of life for residents across Newark and Sherwood. Whether it’s improving community spaces, supporting tourism, or helping enterprises grow, this grant is about investing in the future of our rural communities.”

For more information or to apply, download the application form and guidance from our website: UKSPF and REPF Funding Opportunities | Newark & Sherwood District Council or email UKSPF@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk. Completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted by the 16 July 2025 deadline.

The Rural England Prosperity Fund is integrated into the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which supports productivity and prosperity in places that need it most. For eligible local authorities, the Rural Fund is a rural top-up to UKSPF allocations. It supports activities that specifically address the particular challenges rural areas face. It is complementary to funding used to support rural areas under the UKSPF.

Through the UKSPF, a Business Growth and Productivity Scheme has also been launched by Newark and Sherwood District Council today and offers grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 to support local micro- and small-sized enterprises (SMEs) to innovate, grow, or become more environmentally sustainable. For more information visit the District Council website: UKSPF and REPF Funding Opportunities | Newark & Sherwood District Council.

The UK Shared Prosperity 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.