Derbyshire Dales - UK Shared Prosperity Fund/Rural England Prosperity Fund
Funded by Government, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) replace external funding programmes previously provided by the European Union. REPF is a rural ‘top-up’ to the UKSPF allocation and both funds form part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda. The two funds will be delivered as a single programme. Derbyshire Dales has been allocated a total of £2.7m up to March 2025.
To access the funding an Investment Plan was submitted to Government in July 2022. Approval of the plan was received on the 5 December 2022.
Governance
Derbyshire Dales District Council is the lead local authority for UKSPF / REPF and a Partnership Board has been established to oversee the effective management and delivery of the programme. The Partnership Board is made up of local partners representing the public, private and voluntary sectors and reflects UKSPF / REPF priorities.
Programme
The proposed programme, developed with our partners, aims to support business diversification, growth, adaptation and long term resilience as well as community projects which help strengthen local communities and foster local pride. The programme will comprise:
Business Advice
Business Start-Up Support
Rural Innovation Grants
There are 3 levels of grant for eligible businesses based in the Derbyshire Dales (prioritising businesses operating from business premises and employing staff):
Business Adaptation Grant (micro and small businesses)
projects costing between £2,500 and £10,000 – open to a range of sectors including Retail, Visitor Economy and Farm Diversification
Business Development Grant (micro and small businesses)
projects costing between £10,001 and £40,000 – eligible sectors: Manufacturing; Engineering; Knowledge Based and Digital. Service and Construction sector businesses may be eligible to apply if 50% or more of their turnover is derived from business to business transactions.
Business Growth Grant (micro, small and medium sized businesses)
projects costing over £40,000 up to £100,000 – eligible sectors: Manufacturing (especially advanced manufacturing and food and drink manufacturing) and Engineering (especially green and environmental engineering).
Calls for applications to the Rural Innovation Grant Scheme will be notified via our business enewsletter and website.
PLEASE NOTE - THE FIRST GRANT TO OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS WILL BE THE BUSINESS GROWTH GRANT. THIS IS DUE TO BE LAUNCHED DURING DECEMBER 2022.
Local Business Workshops and Events
Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction Support for SMEs
Community Resilience Grants for eligible social enterprises, parish and town councils and community organisations based in the Derbyshire Dales to support community-led projects which:
maintain key rural services, facilities and community infrastructure
boost community/volunteering capacity to tackle locally identified challenges, enhance social inclusion and resilience, support post-pandemic recovery longer term and help maintain safe and healthy communities
take local action on climate change to help reduce carbon emissions and promote behaviour change.
The programme also includes site feasibility studies and town centre improvements complementing proposed Council investment on Matlock’s Bakewell Road.
Register an Interest
To register an interest in support available when the programme goes live, you will need to complete a registration form to confirm your basic eligibility. This will identify the support you can potentially access. We advise that you first read our Registration Form Guidance before starting your registration.
PLEASE NOTE - COMPLETION OF THIS REGISTRATION FORM IS NOT AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING
The information you supply will be used to determine initial eligibility only and will need to be verified by the team. When you have successfully completed your registration you will be notified of those elements of support your organisation may qualify for. Details of the different schemes will then be emailed to you as they open for applications.
Applicants will then need to separately apply to the relevant scheme for support.
This initiative is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a UK Government programme for 2022/25. It aims to support people and communities most in need across the UK. It invests in skills, community and place, local business and supporting people into employment. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund