Community grants
The Community Partnerships of Mid-Copeland, South Copeland and Allerdale each have £1m of grant funding available annually as the areas participate in the siting process for a geological disposal facility (GDF).
The new £3 million Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund is provided by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and administered by the charity Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE).
Announced to mark the occasion of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, the fund recognises the important role that village halls play in supporting rural communities, and funding aims to support the modernisation and improvement of village halls, so that they are fit for purpose and can provide activities.
The deadline for the first round of Stage 1 applications was January 20, 2023. The fund then closed and reopened to new applicants on February 20, 2023. The duration of this will depend, however, on the value of unallocated funds remaining.
Business grants
The Government's Help To Grow: Digital scheme offers eligible businesses discounts of up to £5,000 off approved digital accounting software.
Businesses can also access specialised advice on how to choose the right digital technologies to boost their growth and productivity.
The Help To Grow: Management Course offers a management training programme, with 90% of the costs subsidised.
The Government is offering Start Up Loans of between £500 to £25,000 for individuals to start or grow their own business.
Start Up Loans provide a fixed interest rate of 6%, as well as mentoring, support and funding to aspiring business owners, providing support to those who might find it difficult to secure loans from traditional lenders.
The programme’s eligibility is now expanded to support businesses that have been trading for up to three years.
Transport grants
Motability is inviting applications for its large grants programme for projects that reduce barriers to driving for disabled people.
Energy and sustainability grants
The Government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants to encourage property owners to install low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps.
This includes:
- £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump
- £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler
- £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump
Farming, rural and landscaping grants
DEFRA's Farming Investment Fund is available to farmers, foresters and growers, and is split across two strands:
- the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, which focuses on smaller grants for equipment from a set-list, including electronic seeders and chemical-free disinfectant
- the Farming Transformation Fund, for more substantial technology with the potential to transform business performance, with an initial focus on water management.
The first round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund is now closed for applications. Grant Funding Agreements have been sent to successful applicants.
The Farming Transformation Fund is split into three strands:
- The Adding Value grant is closed for applications on July 21, 2022.
- The Water Management grant closed for applications on January 12, 2022.
- The Improving Farm Productivity grant closed for applications on March 16, 2022.
DEFRA's Farming in Protected Landscapes programme provides funding to support and improve Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and National Parks.
DEFRA's Countryside Stewardship scheme provides a chance for more farmers and land managers to prepare for the future and receive payment for environmental work, alongside sustainable food production. There are various grants available under this scheme; applications for which are open all year round.
Grant funding is available from Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Woodlands for tree-planting schemes which can range in size and include different types of planting – from single trees or hedgerows to large-scale woodland. There is also funding available to support communities in accessing these green spaces, including footpaths, benches and interpretation boards.
The grants are available as part of the Cumbria Coastal Community Forest project, aimed to introduce more trees into the landscape along the western coast of Cumbria.
Schools and education grants
The Department for Education (DfE) is offering a grants for eligible state-funded schools and colleges to train a senior mental health lead to develop and implement a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Grants of £1,200 will be provided to cover (or contribute to) the cost of attending a quality assured course and may also be used to hire supply staff whilst leads are engaged in learning.
Armed Forces grants
In response to increases in the cost of living, the Royal British Legion has launched Everyday Needs Grants, providing up to £2,400 over 12 months for members of the Armed Forces community.
