We still have some funding left to allocate from the central government funded Rural England Prosperity Fund. Businesses can have up to 75% of a project funded & organisations up to 90%, up to to maximum of £20,000. (£10,000 is the normal maximum, a higher sum may be considered is some circumstances).

To ensure we maximise the impact of our remaining budget, we are issuing a special call for “quick win” projects – initiatives that require minimal lead time and can be installed rapidly, yet deliver a significant boost to your operations.

Our mission is to back projects that deliver – whether this be capital upgrades for new income streams, equipment for diversification that will strengthen your future or improvements that surge footfall and make your business a destination. Whatever your vision for growth, we are here to provide the funding to make it happen!

We are looking for projects that can be delivered at pace and fully completed by the end of July 2026. This is a final call to grab this funding milestone – click here for the full guidelines to check if you meet the eligibility criteria and complete an expression of interest form. Once your EOI form has been received, we will check to see if you fully meet the criteria and if so we will invite a full application from you.

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Are you ready to strengthen your business, grow your skills and reach more customers?

Whether you are part of one of our town centre and hospitality community or a rural or home-based enterprise, these two free programmes are designed to help you connect, adapt and thrive….

High Streets Connect:

The programme will offer independent town centre retail and hospitality businesses a unique opportunity to build resilience and grow.

Join free mentoring and interactive workshops that will deliver specific support:

• Harness AI and digital tools to save time and work smarter
• Improve your visual merchandising and in store experience
• Build your online presence to reach locals and visitors alike
• Access to one-to-one mentoring for businesses.

Ideal for high street retailers, cafes, hospitality venues and visitor facing independents.

To register your interest email: economy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

Grow Rural:

The programme will empower rural enterprises, creative makers and diversification projects across Romney Marsh, the North Downs and our rural communities.

Learn practical ways to:

• Turn a great idea or side hustle into a viable business
• Build your digital visibility and reach wider audiences
• Access mentoring support to take your next step with confidence

Ideal for farm enterprises, rural producers, accommodation providers, home based makers and start ups.

To register your interest email: economy@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk

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See poster below for details on attending. The event is being attended by Folkestone & Hythe MP Tony Vaughan.

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Overview

The creative industries in the South East are a success story evidenced by exponential sector growth.  For three years Create South East has worked with over 150 creative businesses across Sussex, Kent and Essex helping them to achieve their ambitions.

https://createsoutheast.org.uk/programme-alumni/. As the programme draws to a close in March 2026, we are developing programme legacy and want to increase brand awareness by creating a compelling narrative and content that serves as a call to action for the future.

The partners to Create South East are seeking proposals from experienced communications and marketing professionals or agencies to design and deliver a campaign that amplifies Create South East’s contribution to the region’s creative economy, showcase the success of participating founders, and support the programme’s role in shaping the South East’s wider innovation and investment landscape.

If you are based in the South East* region or have a good working knowledge of the region and are interested, please click on the link below to read the briefing details. Deadline for responses 28^th November.

Create South East Publicity Campaign Brief

*Sussex including West Sussex, Brighton&Hove, Kent, Essex

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As a result of central government funding, Folkestone & Hythe District Council has £171,402 available to provide capital grant funding for both businesses and community projects in rural areas. The scheme will run until early 2026, or until funds are exhausted, whichever is sooner.

Grants ranging from £2,000 to £10,000 are available (and up to £20,000 may be considered in exceptional circumstances), covering up to 75% of the total project costs for businesses and 90% for organisations.

The main aims will be to provide capital funding to:

• Support new and existing rural businesses to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy. This includes farm businesses looking to diversify income streams outside of agriculture.
• Support new and improved community infrastructure, providing essential community services and assets for local people and businesses to benefit the local economy.

If you have a potential project you feel may be eligible for funding, please complete and submit an expression of interest form without delay. We are required to have all approved projects complete and grants paid out by 31st March 2026, so there is only a short time window remaining by which to go through the whole process:

Click here for full details of the scheme and to complete an expression of interest form.

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Reduce your carbon footprint and make your business grow greener.

The tailored support will help you move towards net zero carbon emissions, find value from your waste materials, or help reduce your inputs and resources.

Your training will take place over three months, you will then be invited to apply for a small grant to help you achieve your net zero goals.

• Grant of up to £7k
• Accredited training and professional qualification
• Environmental sustainability assessment
• Personalised action plan
• Networking and events.

Click here for further details or to book a 15 minute chat to ascertain eligibility.

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The Royal Countryside Fund new UK-wide Supporting Rural Communities grant programme is now open for expressions of interest. This new differentiated funding will support transformative, community-led initiatives across the UK, unlocking the huge potential for positive change in rural communities. The aim is to support innovative solutions that will “power up, not prop up” communities, inspiring change and encouraging economic vibrancy.

Organisations can apply for grants of up to£25,000 over a period of 24 months to deliver activities along the themes of:

• Keeping young people in the countryside
• Powering up rural communities
• Increasing environmental sustainability
• Building emergency resilience in rural areas.

The deadline to submit an expression of interest is 21st February 2025.

Click here for full details via the Royal Countryside Fund website 

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