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 small businesses and community infrastructure. Projects must meet the key investment priorities and the defined strategic objectives.  
 
Colchester City Council’s confirmed allocation is £532,195.   

During Round 1 of our grant scheme (which took place in 2023), approximately 75% of our total funding was allocated to business and community projects taking place across 2024 and 2025.   

Applications for Round 2 of our grant scheme open at 12pm on Monday 22 January 2024. 

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.  

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. 

Who can apply 

For more information on eligibility and the application process, applicants should read:  

• REPF CCC Delivery Plan and Guidance Notes for Applicants (Round 2) (PDF, 564KB)
• REPF CCC Supporting Information - Case Studies of Previously Funded Projects (PDF, 588KB)

The application process for small grant applications 

• £5,000 to £24,999 for business support 
• £5,000 to £24,999 for community support 

We are operating a single stage application process. 
 
There are two sets of applications, one for business support and one for community – make sure you complete the correct application form and associated spreadsheet. 

Application form, spreadsheet and guidance for business support:  

• REPF CCC Guidance to Full Application Business (SMALL Grant - Round 2)
• REPF CCC Full Application Business (SMALL Grant - Round 2)
• REPF CCC Full Application Spreadsheet Business (SMALL Grant - Round 2)

Application form, spreadsheet and guidance for community support: 

• REPF CCC Guidance to Full Application Community (SMALL Grant - Round 2)
• REPF CCC Full Application Community (SMALL Grant - Round 2)
• REPF CCC Full Application Spreadsheet Community (SMALL Grant - Round 2)

Before you fill in the application form, you should read the relevant guidance notes for making a full application for small grant scheme in full. 

Submitting your application 

You must email your completed application form as a Microsoft Word attachment only to REPF.Applications@colchester.gov.uk. 
 
You must also attach the completed full application spreadsheet as a Microsoft Excel document to the email. We are unable to accept electronic applications submitted in formats other than Word. We will not accept handwritten, scanned or PDF application forms. 

Small grant applications open 12pm on Monday 22 January 2024 and close 5pm on Monday 08 April 2024. 

The application process for large grant applications 

• £25,000 to £70,000 for business support 
• £25,000 to £70,000 for community support 

We are operating a one-stage application process. 
 
There are two sets of applications, one for business support and one for community – make sure you complete the correct application form and associated spreadsheet. 

Application form, spreadsheet and guidance for business support:   

• REPF CCC Guidance to Full Application Business (LARGE Grant - Round 2)
• REPF CCC Full Application Business (LARGE Grant - Round 2)
• REPF Full Application Spreadsheets Business (LARGE Grant - Round 2)

Application form, spreadsheet and guidance for community support: 

• REPF CCC Guidance to Full Application Community (LARGE Grant - Round 2)
• REPF CCC Full Application Community (LARGE Grant - Round 2)
• REPF CCC Full Application Spreadsheet Community (LARGE Grant - Round 2)

Before you fill in the application form, you should read the relevant guidance notes for making a full application for small grant scheme in full. 

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. 
 
Large grant applications open 12pm on Monday 22 January 2024 and close 5pm on Monday 08 April 2024.