Grant funding now open for rural businesses

Are you a rural business looking to diversify, grow, or adopt sustainable practices? Grant funding is now available through the 2025-26 Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) Business Grant scheme.

Launched at our recent Rural Business Forum at Shaw House, which brings together farmers, landowners, small to medium-sized enterprises and rural business owners for a day of panel discussions, practical workshops and networking with experts, the new scheme offers six fixed grants of up to £20,000 each. This funding is designed to help rural businesses scale up, innovate and improve local infrastructure.

Since December 2023, over £297,000 has been awarded to eleven local businesses, supporting projects ranging from sustainable farming to creative workspaces.

Could your business benefit?

Applications are now open, with all projects to be delivered by March 2026.

For more information or to apply, email: economicdevelopment@westberks.gov.uk or visit the Council's REPF Grant Scheme webpage.