Grants & Funding
View the latest information on current grant and funding opportunities.
Malvern Hills Tourism Grant Scheme
Funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the aim of the scheme is to help develop the local tourism industry within a number of specific areas to help increase visitor numbers and improve the visitor experience.
Eligible businesses can apply for a 50% match-funded grant.
Cultural/Heritage Attractions - Up to £5,000
For Cultural/Heritage Attractions which need repair or restoration and/or towards a feasibility study for improving the visitor experience.
Attractions – Up to £2,500
Attractions and event venues can apply for a grant for projects which will help to improve accessibility for visitors with disabilities helping to ensure The Malverns is a visitor destination suitable for all. They can also apply for funding towards projects which help to improve the visitor experience and increase visitor numbers to the district.
Sustainable Tourism – Up to £2,500
The grant scheme will allow for more grants to be provided towards projects enabling tourism and hospitality businesses to improve their green credentials across the Malvern Hills district.
Festivals and Events - Up to £1,000
Town Centre festival organisers can apply for a grant to assist with festival development activities.
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Malvern Hills Rural Fund
A new fund worth £500k is being launched by Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) to help support rural businesses and communities.
Companies, community businesses and social enterprises can bid for a share of the Malvern Hills Rural Fund. The fund is being made available to support new small or micro businesses in rural areas, including helping farmers to diversify into other sectors, and growing tourism. The money can only be used to fund physical projects such as new buildings or renovations and not for staff or day-to-day running costs. It will be released in stages over the next two years, with the first round of funding available to bid for now. Individual grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 are on offer, but businesses will be expected to match 50 per cent of the total cost of a project.
Expressions of interest must be submitted through the MHDC website using the online form. Shortlisted bids will then be invited to work up a full application.
The funding comes from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
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Business Growth Grant - Worcester City Council
Businesses, that have been trading longer than 12 months can apply for a grant of up to £2,500 (if home-based) or £5,000 (if in commercial premises), subject to meeting the scheme criteria. The minimum grant is £1,000 and must be matched from own resources. This means your project must cost a minimum of £2,000.
The grant can be used towards ‘one off’ costs such as equipment, machinery, building works, premises refurbishment, fixtures and fittings, website construction or software, and other similar costs to help the business to grow.
The business must be based in Worcester. Only one grant is available per business or applicant. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they would not be able to bring the growth proposal forward without the help of this grant.
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Business Growth Grant is part of Worcester City Council’s allocation of £2.96m.
For further information and to request an application pack, contact the Worcester City Council Economic Development team either by email economy@worcester.gov.uk or call 01905 722106.
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Wychavon Rural Fund
A new fund worth £1 million is being launched by Wychavon to help support the district’s rural businesses and communities. Companies, charities, community groups, town and parish councils and other organisations can bid for a share of the Wychavon Rural Fund.
In total £420,000 is being made available to support new small or micro businesses in rural areas, including helping farmers to diversify into other sectors, and growing tourism.
Another £670,000 is available to support rural communities with projects such as community energy schemes, improving local green spaces, upgrading walking and cycling routes and cultural or heritage projects. The money can only be used to fund physical projects such as new buildings or renovations and not for staff or day-to-day running costs. It will be released in stages over the next two years, with the first round of funding available to bid for now. Individual grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 are on offer, but businesses will be expected to match 50 per cent of the total cost of a project and other organisations 30 per cent.
Expressions of interest must be submitted through Wychavon’s website using the online form. Shortlisted bids will then be invited to work up a full application.
The funding is part of Wychavon’s share of the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Find out more - Click Here!
Net Zero Worcestershire
Grant funding is available to help Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Worcestershire to implement energy saving initiatives including LED lighting, heating and insulation and renewables. The initiative aims to support Worcestershire SMEs to make the transition towards a sustainable and low-carbon future.
Funding available in your area:
Bromsgrove District: £1,000 to £10,000
Malvern Hills District: £1,000 to £8,000
Redditch Borough: £1,000 to £10,000
Worcester City: £1,000 to £4,000
Wychavon District: £1,000 to £5,000
Wyre Forest District: £1,000 to £10,000
Grants are awarded on a competitive and match-funded basis, meaning the SME will need to provide at least 60% of the total cost of the project. Amounts available is subject to change.