Please note: You will need to be a member of DCT in order for us to be able to support you with your application.
Further grant funding through ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) to help restore and modernise rural community buildings across England is available. There is a short application window and early applications are very much encouraged!
The grants scheme was first announced to mark the Platinum Jubilee in 2022. It recognises the important role that Village Halls play in supporting rural communities and is to improve buildings and facilities. To date, just under £3m in grant funding has been awarded across rural England including to nine halls in Devon.
The following groups can apply for grants between £7,500 and £75,000:
- Those responsible for Village Halls or similar community buildings and working on projects to the value of £37,500 or more that lead to a reduction in rural loneliness
- Those who have a positive impact on the local environment
- Those who support the rural economy and contribute to community life
There is a two-stage application and we are ready to advise you if you need help with your initial application. Full details of eligibility are on the ACRE web site at https://acre.org.uk/main-grants-scheme-for-village-halls/#
Things to note:
- Early applications are encouraged! Please contact us before you submit your application.
- If you submitted an unsuccessful Stage 2 application during 24/25 you will be eligible to re-submit if you’ve addressed the issues that made you unsuccessful and demonstrate that you have filled any funding gaps.
- In the last round we helped several projects reach their 80% funding target by using the ACRE Community Buildings Loan Scheme. We also advised trustees on accepting loans from well-wishers. If either of these arrangements apply to your project, please get in touch.
- We make the initial review of your application on behalf of ACRE/Defra and hope to be able to provide a supportive assessment. We prefer to know of your project well in advance of submitting your Stage 2 application. We may be able to assist the development of it and with the challenging application requirements for the grant.
- Several kinds of works are excluded from the scheme. We have previously helped halls think creatively about their needs and construct an eligible project.
- Please do not leave it to the deadline for submission of schemes. Most applications need some alteration, correction or additional information and we need time to work with you on this.
Grants for smaller project may be made available later in the year. Please contact us to discuss other funding options.
For further information about how to join Devon Communities Together and take advantage of the many benefits, please visit https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk/about/membership