Rural England Prosperity Fund: interventions, objectives, outputs and outcomes summary
Published 3 September 2022
Applies to England
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To access Rural Fund allocations, you must provide an additional information addendum to your UKSPF investment plan.
The addendum covers 3 areas.
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Local context - referencing the Fund’s investment priorities: supporting rural business and supporting rural communities.
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Interventions - select from a menu of options and explain how they respond to local context.
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Delivery - how and when you’ll deliver the interventions you’ve selected.
Each place has flexibility to invest in activities or ‘interventions’ that support rural businesses and rural communities. These are within the context of the Fund’s aims.
Interventions are split by investment priority. Each investment priority gives details of:
- the interventions and objectives
- indicative outputs and indicative outcomes
- example projects
Review the interventions and identify activities that support Fund objectives in your area.
Investment priority 1: supporting rural businesses
Details of the objectives, outputs, outcomes and example projects for interventions under the supporting rural businesses investment priority.
Intervention 1.1: capital grant funding for small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas
This includes capital funding for net zero infrastructure for rural businesses, and diversification of farm businesses outside of agriculture to encourage starting up, expanding or scaling those businesses where this involves converting farm buildings to other commercial or business uses.
Objectives
- Create jobs and boost community cohesion.
- Increase private sector investment in growth-enhancing activities, through targeted support for small and medium-sized businesses to:
- undertake innovation
- adopt productivity enhancing, energy efficient and low carbon technologies and techniques
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of businesses supported | Jobs created |
| Number of farm businesses supported | Jobs safeguarded |
| Number of farm diversification projects supported | Number of new businesses created |
| Number of micro businesses supported | Number of businesses adopting new to the firm technologies or processes |
| Number of businesses with improved productivity | |
| Number of businesses experiencing growth |
Example projects
- Creation and expansion of rural leisure and tourism businesses. For example:
- creating event venues or farm tourism facilities such as accommodation, wedding venues and leisure facilities
- provision of facilities for pet and equines such as kennels, livery and pet health venues. - Funding for resilience infrastructure and nature-based solutions that protect local businesses and community areas from natural hazards including flooding and coastal erosion.
- Purchase of equipment for food processing for non-farmer-owned businesses. For example:
- purchasing new process and packaging machinery such as brewing equipment and onsite vending machines
- equipping development kitchens or modernising existing kitchen equipment for increased energy efficiency or increased productivity through automation.
Support for farmer-owned businesses is available under the Farming Investment Fund (FIF).
Intervention 1.2: capital grant funding for growing the local social economy and supporting innovation
This includes:
- community businesses
- cooperatives
- social enterprises
- research and development sites
This intervention corresponds to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) intervention E26.
Objectives
- Create jobs and boost community cohesion. From capital grant support for starting businesses to visible improvements to local retail, hospitality and leisure sector facilities.
- Enhance rural visitor economy and rural leisure opportunities.
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of businesses supported | Jobs created |
| Number of farm businesses supported | Jobs safeguarded |
| Number of farm diversification projects supported | Number of new businesses created |
| Number of micro businesses supported | Number of businesses adopting new to the firm technologies or processes |
| Number of businesses with improved productivity | |
| Number of businesses increasing their export capability |
Example projects
- Creation of multi-functional rural business hubs providing shared workspace and networking opportunities for rural businesses. For example:
- flexible access to commercial kitchens
- co-working spaces
- business infrastructure such as broadband and electric vehicle (EV) charging points
- Capital grants to enable the establishment of rural community businesses. For example:
- provision of premises for community-owned shops
- equipment to support the showcasing of local food and drink products such as regional information display boards
Intervention 1.3: capital grant funding for developing and promoting the visitor economy
This includes development and promotion (both trade and consumer) of:
- local attractions
- trails
- tourism products more generally
This intervention corresponds to the UKSPF intervention E17.
Objectives
- Create jobs and boost community cohesion.
- Enhance rural visitor economy and rural leisure opportunities.
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of businesses supported | Jobs created |
| Number of visitor experiences supported | Jobs safeguarded |
| Number of farm businesses supported | Number of new businesses created |
| Number of micro businesses supported | Number of businesses increasing their turnover |
Example projects
- Development of local visitor trails and infrastructure to support this, such as:
- information boards
- visitor centres
- Grants for the development of local tourist attractions.
- Development of local visitor experiences based on the local offer.
Investment priority 2: supporting rural communities
Details of the objectives, outputs, outcomes and example projects for interventions under the supporting rural communities investment priority.
Intervention 2.1: capital grant funding for investment and support for digital infrastructure for local community facilities
This intervention corresponds to the UKSPF intervention E15.
Objectives
Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging, through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities. This includes:
- community infrastructure and local green space
- community-led projects
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of organisations receiving grants | Jobs created |
| Number of facilities supported, created, or installed | Jobs safeguarded |
| Increased users of facilities or amenities | |
| Improved perception of facility or infrastructure project | |
| Improved perception of facilities or amenities |
Example projects
Capital grants for provision of gigabit capable digital infrastructure at rural hubs for community use. For example:
- village halls
- pubs
- post offices
Projects must align with the government’s Project Gigabit programme.
Intervention 2.2: capital grant funding for investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups
This intervention corresponds to the UKSPF intervention E11.
Objectives
Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities. This includes:
- community infrastructure and local green space
- community-led projects
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of EV charging points | Improved perception of facilities or amenities |
| Number of visitors or locals using charging points | Increased users of facilities or amenities |
| Number of community energy projects funded | Improved perceived or experienced accessibility |
| Number of new businesses created |
Example projects
- Capital grants for provision of net zero infrastructure for rural communities and to support rural tourism activity. For example:
- EV charging points
- community energy schemes such as scaled up biomass, heat pumps or solar
- Capital grants for kitchens in community hubs which are capable of supporting food and drink entrepreneurs get accreditation for food production.
- Funding for resilience infrastructure and nature-based solutions that protect local businesses and community areas from natural hazards including flooding and coastal erosion.
Intervention 2.3: capital grant funding for creation and improvements to local rural green spaces
This intervention corresponds to the UKSPF intervention E3.
Objectives
Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities. This includes:
- community infrastructure and local green space
- community-led projects
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Amount of rehabilitated land or premises | Increased footfall |
| Square metres (m2) of land made wheelchair accessible or step free | Increased visitor numbers |
| Amount of public realm created or improved | Increased use of cycleways or paths |
| Number of facilities supported or created | Jobs created |
| Amount of green or blue space created or improved | Improved perception of facilities or amenities |
| Increased users of facilities or amenities | |
| Improved perceived or experienced accessibility |
Example projects
Capital grants to establish or enhance rural green and blue infrastructure, including:
- community gardens
- green spaces
- watercourses and embankments
- greening of streets and paths
- incorporating natural features into wider public spaces
Intervention 2.4: capital grant funding for existing cultural, historic and heritage institutions that make up the local cultural heritage offer
This intervention corresponds to the UKSPF intervention E4.
Objectives
Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities. This includes:
- community infrastructure
- heritage assets
- local green space
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of organisations receiving financial support other than grants | Increased footfall |
| Number of organisations receiving grants | Increased visitor numbers |
| Number of tourism, culture or heritage assets created or improved | Increased use of cycleways or paths |
| Amount of green or blue space created or improved | Jobs created |
| Amount of land or premises supported | Improved perception of facilities or amenities |
| m2 of land made wheelchair accessible or step free | Increased users of facilities or amenities |
| Number of facilities supported or created | Improved perceived or experienced accessibility |
Example projects
- Capital grants to develop, restore or refurbish local natural, cultural and heritage assets and sites.
- Improving visitor experience and accessibility of these assets. For example, by providing capital grants to:
- create wheelchair accessible and step free access that goes beyond statutory requirements
- provision of all terrain wheelchairs allowing access to new areas of sites
Intervention 2.5: capital grant funding for local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities
This intervention corresponds to the UKSPF intervention E6.
Objectives
Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities. This includes:
- community infrastructure and local green space
- community-led projects
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of potential entrepreneurs provided assistance to be business ready | Jobs created |
| Number of organisations receiving grants | Jobs safeguarded |
| Number of local events or activities supported | Increased footfall |
| Increased visitor numbers | |
| Improved engagement numbers | |
| Improved perception of facilities or amenities | |
| Number of community-led arts, cultural, heritage and creative programmes as a result of support | |
| Improved perception of events |
Example projects
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Funding for provision of maker spaces.
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Funding for local art galleries, museums, or libraries for altering premises or providing spaces for exhibitions to support displays for artists to showcase work.
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Capital grants to enable cultural, heritage and creative events and provision of venues for locally-led music and theatre performances, tours, author events and film screenings.
Intervention 2.6: capital grant funding for active travel enhancements in the local area
This intervention corresponds to the UKSPF intervention E7.
Objectives
Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities. This includes:
- community infrastructure and local green space
- community-led projects
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Amount of new or improved cycleways or paths | Increased use of cycleways or paths |
| Number of facilities supported or created | Improved perception of facilities or amenities |
| Amount of green or blue space created or improved |
Example projects
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Creation of new footpaths and cycle paths, particularly in areas of health need.
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Upgrading of existing footpaths and cycle paths, particularly in areas of health need.
Intervention 2.7: capital grant funding for rural circular economy projects
Objectives
Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities. This includes:
- community infrastructure and local green space
- community-led projects
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of organisations receiving grants | Improved engagement numbers |
| Number of people reached | Improved perception of local facilities or amenities |
| Number of community-led programmes as a result of support |
Example projects
Capital grants to enable setting up or enhancing rural community-led repair cafes or mend workshops. This includes:
- providing premises
- tools or equipment to support this activity
Intervention 2.8: capital grant funding for impactful volunteering and social action projects to develop social and human capital in local places
This intervention corresponds to the UKSPF intervention E9.
Objectives
Strengthen our social fabric and foster a sense of local pride and belonging through investment in activities that enhance physical, cultural and social ties and amenities. This includes:
- community infrastructure and local green space
- community-led projects
| Indicative outputs | Indicative outcomes |
|---|---|
| Number of organisations receiving grants | Improved engagement numbers |
| Number of local events or activities supported | Volunteering numbers as a result of support |
| Number of projects supported |
Example projects
Capital grants to enable people to develop volunteering and local social action projects. This includes:
- purchase of equipment
- improvements to premises to enable local volunteering groups, such as youth charities, carers groups or refugee support groups