The next Rural Grant Scheme is open!

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Business Breakfast

EHDC has opened its Rural Grant Scheme to projects that promote local tourism and support our local communities.

Applications for grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 will be accepted until 27 August 2025.

More information and an application form can be found on our website below

Rural Grants

The Rural Grants scheme, now in its third year, was launched at a breakfast meeting at Basingstoke & Alton Cardiac Rehab Centre, where CEO Sarah Quarterman spoke about her successful Rural Grant application and the difference it has made to the visitors to the centre.

Sarah said: “We now have air conditioning in our meeting room, which means we can welcome more health and community groups to host events here, and the new outside exercise area provides us with more space to help our clients rebuild their strength and gain the support they need to lead more active and healthy lives.”

Sarah was handed a Rural Grant plaque by Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Prosperity. Cllr Mocatta has seen the successful grant applicants from previous rounds use their funds to great effect for the community.

A huge range of projects have been supported by Rural Grants over the last two years

He said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the outcomes these grants have delivered – from a community kitchen which has decreased loneliness in and around Passfield to this example of partnership working which will benefit so many residents requiring support as they regain their health from not just heart problems or strokes but also debilitating viruses like Long Covid.”

The morning also launched a programme to help employers with recruiting, interviewing and retention strategies; AI training to make businesses more resilient and strategically agile, and supporting local people into the job market through Kickstart and Fedcap’s employment programme.

Kickstart

Damian Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, opened the breakfast event and said: “Four years ago the government set up the Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund – and all of these great programmes which are being supported by these funds show how determined the businesses and community groups in East Hampshire are to make the most of every opportunity out there.”

For more information on any of these programmes please email: business@easthants.gov.uk