Applying for a grant
The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) aligns with the wider UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The fund aims to provide support and investment into rural areas to strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.
Colchester City Council (CCC) are operating a grant scheme to fund capital projects for community infrastructure. Projects must meet the key investment priorities and the defined strategic objectives.
Only capital funding is available, and projects will need to ensure that any revenue funding needed for the project has been secured from other sources.
Applications are now open for community and business capital projects.
The amount of funding each applicant is eligible for depends on three factors:
The amount of funding each applicant is eligible for depends on three factors:
- The project size (by cost)
- Whether the project is commercially run
- Whether the project is intended to make a profit or not
|
Grant Type |
Min £ |
Max £ |
Max Grant Rate |
Process |
|
Business Support |
£5,000 |
£50,000 |
Up to 50% (for commercial profit-making) |
One-stage |
|
Community Support |
£5,000 |
£50,000 |
Up to 80% (for not-for-profit) |
One-stage |
|
Up to 100% (if generating no income) |
Who Can Apply?
- Rural micro, small and medium-sized businesses
- Sole traders, farmers, landowners (with permission)
- Charities, social enterprises, community groups
- Private organisations working in partnership with rural communities
To be eligible, your project must be located within a designated rural area of Colchester. Check your postcode using the Magic Map Tool.
How to Apply
We are operating a single-stage application process.
You must submit:
- The full application form
- The associated spreadsheet
- All as attachments in Word/Excel format to:
- Full application guidance
Make sure to read:
- REPF CCC Delivery Plan and Guidance Notes for Applicants
- Supporting information and case studies from previous rounds
Projects will be appraised on a rolling basis, with decisions made by panel in early September.
Submitting your application
You must email your completed application form as a Microsoft Word attachment only to REPF.Applications@colchester.gov.uk.
- We are unable to accept electronic applications submitted in formats other than Word.
- We will not accept handwritten, scanned or PDF application forms.
Applications open at 12pm on Monday 16 June 2025 and close at 5pm on Monday 14 July 2025.
Page last reviewed: 16 June 2025