Call for Applications: Rural Communities and Tourism Fund (UK)

UDC Strategic Objectives

• Funding (capital grants) for small scale investment in micro, small and medium enterprises in rural areas. Including capital funding for net zero infrastructure for rural businesses, and diversification of farm businesses outside of agriculture to encourage start up, expansion or scale up of these businesses where this involves converting farm buildings into other commercial or business uses
• Purchase of equipment for food processing for non-farmer owned businesses to support expansion or diversification
• Funding (capital grants) for the development and promotion (both trade and consumer) of the visitor economy

Funding Information

• Capital grants of up to £15,000 will be available to support the development of community facilities:
  • Grants to develop local tourist attractions and support rural tourism activity including the development of local visitor trails and infrastructure to support this such as information boards
  • Grants to develop, restore or refurbish natural, cultural and heritage assets and sites
• Organisations will be able to apply for the full amount of eligible project costs; however, projects that include match funding will be considered favourably in order to show value for money in spending public money. Match funding for the communities and place fund can include in-kind costs such as through staff and volunteering hours.

Output and Outcomes

• The application process will assess projects on their ability to achieve tangible outputs.
• Applicants will be required to provided quantified outputs i.e. “24 jobs created” rather than “they will create jobs” or “yes”.

Eligibility Criteria

• Funds are available to micro, small and medium sized businesses/organisations who are located within the geographical area of Uttlesford.

For more information, visit UDC.