Rural businesses and communities can now apply for up to £25,000 worth of funding with the return of the Malvern Hills Rural Fund.
Round two of the fund is now available to support good value, new capital projects that will assist start-up, growth, development, and job creation.
The money can only be used to fund physical projects such as new equipment or machinery and not for staff or day-to-day running costs.
The fund will also support farm diversification outside of agriculture.
Individual grants of between £2,500 and £25,000 are on offer, and businesses will be expected to match 50 per cent of the total cost of a project.
Projects from previous rounds of funding include Escape to the Lake - venue for wellness activities, J Maverick & Co - fitting out of a retail shop and tap room selling craft ales, and Sitemark - transformation of the company's office space.
Projects must be delivered in a rural area within the Malvern Hills District and should only begin once they have received funding approval.
Expressions of interest must be submitted through the Malvern Hills District Council website using the online form by midday, 7 July 2025.
Shortlisted bids will then be invited to work up a full application by midday, 18 August 2025.
A funding decision will be made at the end of September 2025.
More information can be found on the council’s website www.malvernhills.gov.uk/business/grants-and-funding/malvern-hills-rural-fund.
Cllr Beverley Nielsen, Portfolio holder for Economy and Tourism, at Malvern Hills District Council said: “We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for Round two of the Malvern Hills Rural Fund. It’s a great opportunity for new businesses or existing ones to access support to grow and develop.”
This scheme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Published 19 June 2025.
