Rural businesses and communities can apply for funding to support jobs and growth, improved local facilities and to reduce their carbon footprint.
The West Kent Rural Grants scheme has reopened for applications with funding from £2,000 to £25,000 available.
The grants are for capital projects and match funding is required. Eligible organisations must be within a rural area of the Sevenoaks District, Tonbridge and Malling Borough or Tunbridge Wells Borough as defined by Defra. Other terms and conditions apply.
Successful applicants would receive the money in the next financial year, 2024/25.
Applications are considered by a Grant Panel that meets throughout the year. The next Panel meeting dates are:
Wednesday 24 January 2024
The deadline to submit your application for this meeting is Wednesday 10 January 2024.
Tuesday 6 March 2024
The deadline to submit your application for this meeting is Tuesday 21 February 2024.
Tuesday 16 April 2024
The deadline to submit your application for this meeting is Tuesday 2 April 2024.
To find out more about the scheme, and to make an application, visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/westkentruralgrants.
The West Kent Rural Grants scheme is funded by the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).
Cllr Julia Thornton, Leader of the Council says: “We are very excited to have secured Government funding to support our rural businesses and communities. This new source of money will help them grow sustainably, create new jobs and improve local facilities. The scheme will close when all the funding has been allocated, so I’d urge anyone interested to get their application in as soon as possible.”
Cllr Robin Betts, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Regeneration and Property at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, adds: “Having offered funding to some excellent projects in the first round, we are pleased to announce that the scheme is now open for submissions again. I would encourage any rural business or community group in West Kent that is looking for capital funding support to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.”
Cllr Nancy Warne, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Deputy Leader, says: “It’s very good news that Tunbridge Wells is participating in this important scheme to support rural businesses, communities and visitor destinations. The capital grant awards are a great opportunity to generate growth, enhance community facilities and attract tourists to West Kent, so I would recommend that anyone interested gets in touch and applies as soon as the scheme opens.”