Rural grants scheme applications open

You must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form before midnight on 16 February 2020.

You could be eligible for a Growth Programme grant if your business is carrying out a project to create jobs or bring more money into the rural economy.

There are three types of grant:
• Business development
• Food processing
• Rural tourism infrastructure

The grants are funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), which is part of the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF).

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will assess all expressions of interest. RPA will look for projects that meet the national and local priorities for funding, and will decide which meet the criteria the best. This means grants are not awarded automatically to an applicant.

There is a 2-part application process (starting with submitting an ‘expression of interest’) to tell RPA about the work you’re doing and how the grant could help you with it.

If RPA assesses that your expression of interest is suitable, they will invite you to submit a full application.

Find out more about the grants scheme on the RDPE programme on the Government’s guidance webpage.

Interested in the Growth Programme?

If you’re interested in applying for a Growth Programme grant, why not come to an applicant workshop? You’ll be able to find out more about the grants and how to apply.

To check if there is an event near you, email GPEnquiries@rpa.gov.uk