Rural England Prosperity Fund: Doncaster

The Rural England Prosperity Fund is a capital grant programme integrated into the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) aimed at specifically addressing some of the challenges faced by our local rural areas.

The key aim of the programme is to facilitate sustainable economic growth in the rural areas of Doncaster, through supporting the delivery of innovative project activity. This will enable businesses and communities whose activities reflect the landscape, environment, culture and heritage of Doncaster to survive, diversify and thrive.

Doncaster has been allocated funding to provide capital grant funding (investment in assets such as buildings, plant, equipment and machinery) across two themes:

Funding for small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas
Funding for developing and promoting the visitor economy in rural areas

Grants of between £2,500 - £12,499 will be available, but you must be able to match 50% of any funding for which you are applying (Please Note: in exceptional cases we may consider applications for larger grants, however you must be able to demonstrate that your project significantly contributes to the outcomes of the scheme). Payments will be made at the end of the process, so you will need to be able to fund the project fully yourself before any reimbursements are made.

The grant money may be used under the following categories:

Rural Micro and Small Enterprises: Small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas, including capital funding for net zero infrastructure for rural businesses, and diversification 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 use.
Tourism and the Visitor Economy: Developing and promoting the visitor economy including food and drink, outdoor leisure, local attractions, trails and tourism products.

Application and eligibility:

Applications will be assessed on a first come, first served basis and subject to funding still being available. The scheme will be open for applications from Monday 18^th March until Friday 15^th November, however please be aware that applications are dealt with on a first come, first served basis, therefore the application window may close early if all of the available funding is utilised

To apply, or if you have any questions, please contact the Business Doncaster team on 01302 735 555 or info@businessdoncaster.com

For further guidance please visit the dedicated City of Doncaster Council webpage by clicking here: Further Guidance

This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The 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