Stage one applications have now reopened to the Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund for grants to improve buildings and facilities.

The fund, which recognises the important role that village halls play in supporting rural communities, was announced by Defra to mark the occasion of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in May 2022.

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is managing the £3 million fund being made available by government to help restore and modernise rural community buildings across England, so that they are fit for purpose and can provide activities which seek to achieve one or more of the following outcomes for their communities:

• improved health and/or wellbeing and/or reduction in rural loneliness
• positive impact on the local environment, contributes towards net zero
• support for the local rural economy
• promotion of community cohesion.

The fund has already proven popular during the first round of applications, and competition is fierce.

This is a competitive process – it’s likely that the Fund will be oversubscribed and unfortunately it can’t provide grants for all halls. The strongest applications will be those that have the 80% match funding confirmed before they put in their Stage 2 application.

The deadline for Stage One applications to the fund is 23.59 on 3 March 2023.

Further information, including how to apply for the fund, is available on ACRE’s website.

Our Village Hall Funding resource gives details of other funds for capital projects.

For any questions about your application, or for support with other capital grant funds please contact communitysupport@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.