UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Capital Grant Scheme

Grant Criteria

Objectives of the Scheme

This grant scheme intends to improve productivity and strengthen the Borough’s rural economy and rural communities by funding capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure.

Amount of grant

Grants of up to £50,000 are available to eligible organisations. Schemes that have secured match funding of up to 50% will be scored favourably.

All successful projects applicants must have completed their capital project and spent all of the grant by 1st March 2025 at the latest.

Project Monitoring

Applicants will be required to submit to requested site visits from Ribble Valley Borough Council officers during and upon completion of the agreed project, and to provide updates on progress towards the achievement of fund/ project priorities, outputs and outcomes at timescales agreed in advance of project commencement.

Who can apply

The following organisations/ groups with legal status can apply:

  • parish councils
  • registered charity/community association
  • charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
  • community benefit society (Bencom)
  • constituted community groups
  • faith groups, where the activity is not promoting religion
  • public sector organisations
  • higher and further education institutions

The project must be located in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 village settlement as defined in the adopted Core Strategy. A breakdown of the villages in these Tiers can be found here.

Example projects

  • Community energy schemes such as scaled up biomass, heat pumps or solar.
  • Capital grants for sustainable kitchens in community hubs which can support food and drink entrepreneurs to get accreditation for food production
  • Capital grants to establish or enhance community gardens and green spaces
  • Capital grants to develop, restore or refurbish local natural, cultural and heritage assets and sites
  • Improving visitor experience and accessibility such as providing all terrain wheelchairs
  • Capital grants to enable the provision of venues to host creative events
  • Creation/improvement of footpaths and cycle paths
  • Capital grants to set up community led cafes or workshops including tools and equipment
  • Capital grants to purchase equipment for local volunteering groups
  • Installing EV charging points for the local community
  • Installation of superfast broadband infrastructure to communities
  • Retrofitting community buildings to reduce energy consumption and emissions e.g., installing insulation, double glazing etc.
  • Drainage of playing fields/playing equipment (park)

Projects we cannot support

We cannot support projects that have received funding from other Defra schemes in line with Government guidance. This includes:

  • The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme - funding for farmers and land managers to work in partnership with National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty bodies to deliver projects on climate, nature, people and place
  • The Farming Investment Fund - grants to improve productivity and bring environmental benefits, covering 2 funds - the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund and the Farming Transformation Fund
  • The Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund - grant funding over 3 years (to 2025) to support capital improvement projects for village halls, covering extending buildings and modernising facilities. More details on how to apply will be available shortly
  • We cannot support projects or costs where there is a statutory duty to provide them.

Local Benefits

What could the local benefits of REPF investment be?

  • EV Charging Points
  • Visitors or locals using charging points
  • Community energy projects
  • Improved cycleways or paths
  • Increased use of cycleways or paths from improved paths and cycleways
  • Local events or activities supported
  • Green or blue infrastructure created or improved
  • Number of facilities supported or created
  • Increased users of facilities or amenities
  • Improved engagement numbers
  • Volunteering numbers as a result of the support
  • Reducing carbon footprint and greater access to charging points