This page contains links to various sources of funding available in rural areas. It is not necessarily a comprehensive list, and you may be able to find other sources of funding or support, for example via your local district council or a charity or business.
Businesses looking for funding should also visit the LLEP Business Gateway for information about business support and funding available:
Community Groups are also advised to visit the Leicestershire Communities Website:
An Alternative Funding document is also available which provides advice on grants and or funding for not for profit community based organisations and charities.
Funding for Rural Communities
- SHIRE Community Grant
The SHIRE Community Grant programme will enable voluntary and community sector organisations (including social enterprises and Town/Parish Councils) to deliver community-based projects, services and activities which directly benefit the most vulnerable people in Leicestershire.
We are particularly interested in funding new and innovative projects that will:
• support the most vulnerable individuals and communities in Leicestershire
• provide early intervention and prevention based solutions
• complement existing services already being delivered
Rural Development Programme Funding
Countryside Stewardship Scheme
Countryside Stewardship (CS) provides financial incentives for land managers to look after their environment through activities such as: conserving and restoring wildlife habitats; flood risk management; woodland creation and management; reducing widespread water pollution from agriculture; keeping the character of the countryside; preserving features important to the history of the rural landscape and; encouraging educational access.
This infographic provides some information about the scheme.
For more information, see the Rural Payments Agency Website - https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/countryside-stewardship-get-paid-for-environmental-land-management
Useful Information
Below are links to some local strategy and research documents which may help you in making an application.
- LSR Online
LSR Statistics and Research is a partnership site providing open access to data, maps and reports about the communities in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland.
- 2018 Leicestershire Rural Economy Evidence Base
The Leicestershire Rural Partnership (LRP) commissioned the county council to produce a rural evidence base in order to present a comprehensive picture of rural Leicestershire. It is intended that the report will assist the LRP in responding to key national and local consultations to assist with influencing and applying for new funding streams including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The report covers the following topics:
• Population
• Deprivation
• Economy
• Communities
• Housing and Employment Land
• Early Help/ Supporting Leicestershire Families
• Rural Health Issues - East Leicestershire Tourism Accomodation Study
The East Leicestershire Tourism Accomodation Study was commission in order to develop our understanding of the potential for tourist accommodation development in East Leicestershire and the role that Leicestershire County Council and partners can play in realising this potential.
- East Leicestershire Rural Workspace Demand Study
This study was commissioned by Leicestershire County Council in 2014 in order to develop an understanding of the availability of rural workspace in the East Leicestershire area. This was in support of our bid for LEADER funding as well as in planning for the incoming LLEP Growth Programme.
- Leicestershire Rural Framework 2014-2020
The Leicestershire Rural Framework sets out the LRP's Principals and Priorities for the period to 2020.
- LLEP Sector Growth Plans
The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership has identified 8 key sectors in
Leicester and Leicestershire;Food & Drink Manufacturing / Textiles Manufacturing / Logistics and Distribution / Tourism and Hospitality / Creative Industries / Low Carbon / Professional and Financial Services / Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing
Sector expert consultants have been commissioned to develop the plans. They provide the LLEP and partners with intelligence and evidence to inform future decisions.
Superfast Leicestershire
The Superfast Leicestershire programme is working to ensure that 97% of all homes and businesses have access to fibre broadband, delivering superfast speeds, by the latter part of 2018.
By March 2016 over 65,000 properties in 150 towns and villages have been enabled with superfast broadband with thanks to more than 200 miles of new fibre cable and over 300 roadside fibre cabinets.
In the current phase (Contract 2), another 15,000 county properties as well as 10,000 in Leicester City will be included in the programme. Over 97% of Leicester and Leicestershire can already access superfast broadband, if you are unsure whether your area is connected check on the Superfast Leicestershire page: http://www.superfastleicestershire.org.uk/when-and-where/
The next phase was approved in June 2017 and will bring quicker connection speeds to the remaining three per cent of Leicestershire homes and businesses – mainly in hard-to-reach rural areas which would otherwise be left behind on slow broadband speeds.