Any organisation with legal status can receive funding, including:

• Micro enterprises should have less than 10 employees and an annual turnover under €2 million, and small enterprises should have less than 50 employees and an annual turnover under €10 million.
• voluntary organisations
• registered charities
• local authorities
• public sector organisations
• higher and further education institutions

Please note we cannot support projects that have received funding from other Defra schemes, including:

• The Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme
• The Farming Investment Fund
• The Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Improvement Grant Fund

We are looking to support new capital projects (something physical like a new building or infrastructure) that bring something new to your business. They must represent good value for money. We cannot fund staff costs, general operating expenses or services you are legally required to provide.

Please refer to our  pdfOutputs and Outcomes Guidance (564 KB) to determine where your project sits regarding the Wychavon Rural Fund.

Supporting Rural Enterprise

The Rural Fund welcomes projects that will deliver ideas that are new to the business and that will assist start-up, growth, development and job creation. 

The following types of project will be supported:

1. Purchase of capital items to start, grow and develop the business offer of micro and small rural businesses and farm diversifications, for example:          
• Gardening equipment that would increase the services offered by a business.
• A horsebox to provide catering at events selling food made using farm produce from the business.
2. Community enterprises projects that will make a direct contribution to the local economy, for example:
• Purchase and fit out of a community shop.
• Creation of a community space that will generate income and create paid jobs.
3. Development and promotion of the visitor economy, for example:
• Updating a visitor attraction to make it more accessible to a wider audience.
• Creation of visitor accommodation, as part of a wider attraction or with a unique selling point.

Projects should not have already started before being approved for funding.

The project must be delivered in a rural area within the district of Wychavon (i.e. wards outside of Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich town centres). Please refer to the Wychavon Rural Map to check if your project is in a rural postcode.

How to use the map:

• Click on the link to the Wychavon Rural Map.
• Type details of the project location in the search box and select the location from the drop down options.
• Tick the box agreeing to the Terms and Conditions and press Continue.
• Look at the box on the bottom right entitled Wychavon Rural Fund; this will tell you if the identified area is eligible for funding.

Note, you can also use the Map button at the top of the screen to show a wider area by selecting the Wychavon Rural Fund layer and zooming out.

Capital grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 are available.

Private sector organisations will be expected to match fund at least 50% of the project.

Public or voluntary sector organisations will be expected to match fund at least 30% of the project. 

This link will take you to information on the Rural Fund Application Process.

Round One – Key Dates

• Expression of Interest deadline – 14 August 2023
• Full application deadline – 11 September 2023
• Funding decision – 20 October 2023

Round Two

• Expression of interest deadline: 13 November 2023
• Full Application deadline: 9 January 2024
• Funding decisions will be taken at Appraisal Panel Meetings in February and March.

Round Three 

• Expression of Interest deadline – 5 Jan 2024 
• Full application deadline – 15 February 2024 
• Appraisal Panels will take place in March and April 2024.  

Round four

• Expression of Interest deadline – 26 Feb 2024
• Full application deadline - 12 April 2024 
• Appraisal panel June 2024
• Projects should take place between April 2024- 31 Jan 2025. 

If you would like to submit an application please refer to the Application Process page for guidance on what you will be asked to provide throughout the stages.  If you are unable to provide the required documents by the application deadlines for Round Two it is unlikely that your project will receive a final decision until June 2024. 

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your project.

Future Rounds

Future rounds may be opened up depending on available funding levels.

Please use this link for more information on the Application Process.

If you need more information or would like clarification on if your project qualifies for funding then email our team and we will be happy to help.

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If you want to talk something through with us then contact one of the officers below:

UKSPF Programme Support Officer

Georgie Muckle, UKSPF Support Officer on 01684 862270 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For general guidance on developing your ideas and what information we are looking for in your form please contact:

Emma Ridley, Economic Development Officer, by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07971 527006.