Maximum grant size: £10,000 Deadline: 2nd August 2023 Grant overview: The Fund provides capital grants to community organisations in the rural areas of the Borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk. Projects should have the overarching objective of providing resilient community services and assets for local people to benefit the local economy, address the challenges of rural isolation, support social cohesion and boost local pride. There will be 2 years of funding. Available Funding:
- In year 1 (2023/24) there is a total of £75,000 available and capital grants of up to £10,000 can be awarded. Match funding of 25% is required and must be confirmed at the time of application. Match funding can be in the form of an in-kind contribution, for example volunteer time contributed towards building improvements. You can apply for a year 1 grant now.
- In year 2 (2024/25) there is a total of £225,000 available and capital grants of between £10,000 and £50,000 can be awarded. Again 25% match funding is required and must be confirmed at the time of application. Please note, while you are welcome to begin planning a project for year 2, you cannot make an application at this time. We expect to launch the year 2 application process in early 2024.
Fund details: Year 1 Year 2 Aim: Support impactful volunteering and social action projects by the purchase of equipment or improvements (not maintenance) to premises. Aim: Capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups through larger scale capital improvement (not maintenance) projects such as climate resilient infrastructure which can adapt to changing external factors, net zero infrastructure, grants for community catering kitchens etc. Objective: Enable communities to build upon local provision and benefit from well serviced and resilient facilities which meet local need now and into the future. Objective: Initiatives which create, improve and future proof community facilities, green spaces and local infrastructure. Vision: Investment will be targeted to improve local pride, support the wellbeing of rural communities, improve connectivity between areas, reduce social isolation and improve access to services and facilities. Projects should provide opportunities to increase social integration and engage residents in volunteering activities. Vision: Investment will benefit projects which reduce carbon emissions, work towards net zero targets, create resilient infrastructure and establish local green infrastructure projects in line with the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. Projects which incorporate this approach into the improvement or creation of community facilities that benefit the rural community and the wider environment and increase opportunities for local groups to operate and further invest back into the area will be prioritised. Grant Exclusions:
- Revenue/activity costs.
- Purchasing assets which do not have a lasting value (1 year minimum).
- Purchasing/repairing play equipment, outdoor gym equipment or similar items.
- Purchasing benches, picnic tables or similar outdoor items
- Bus shelters.
- Footpaths/trods/waymarking or similar items.
- Non-electric vehicles.
- Projects that still need to raise additional funding at the time of application.
- Projects that require planning (or other permissions) but these permissions are not in place at point of application.
- Projects that have received funding from other DEFRA schemes e.g. The Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund.
Who can apply? The Fund is open to charities, community groups, parish or town councils, churches for projects that benefit the wider community, CIC’s and other social enterprises, scout and similar uniformed groups and sports clubs. Schools cannot apply.