Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)
Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF)
Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) was launched in September 2022 and is a 'top up' to the UKSPF and is available to eligible local authorities across England. It succeeds European Union funding from LEADER and the Growth Programme which were part of the Rural Development Programme for England.
West Lancashire's REPF addendum application was submitted in November 2022 and the Council has secured £441,630 of REPF to deliver a phased delivery of projects up until March 2025.
REPF must be used to fund capital projects for small businesses and community infrastructure and will help to improve productivity and strengthen the rural economy and rural communities.
REPF objectives sit within the UKSPF investment priorities for supporting local businesses and community and Place and will aim to meet the below interventions that align with the UKSPF. It is therefore recommended that the two funding streams are aligned as is required through the national government reporting framework.
The purpose of REPF is:
REPF - Supporting Local Businesses
To support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. This includes farm businesses looking to diversify income streams.
- E23 - strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystems
- E17 - Funding (capital grants) for the development and promotion (both trade and consumer) of the visitor economy
REPF - Community and Place
To support new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy.
- E23 - strengthening local entrepreneurial ecosystems
- E17 - Funding (capital grants) for the development and promotion (both trade and consumer) of the visitor economy
Applications for this scheme have now closed.
Future announcements about the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) will be shared on this page.
