The UK government has set out a plan for progress centred around five national missions.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a mechanism for supporting delivery of the missions. It is designed to empower local communities stimulate economic growth and promote opportunities in all parts of the UK. The UKSPF 2025-2026 transition year will allow continuation of existing projects, and support of new projects to March 2026.
Bedford Borough Council has been awarded £138,693 of UKSPF capital-only funding and £165,675 of Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) capital only funding for the period 2025-2026. This capital funding has been allocated to the provision of UKSPF and REPF grant schemes. The grant schemes will provide local organisations and businesses with opportunities to access funding that supports community development, innovation and economic growth.
Available grants for 2025-2026
Grants are available in the following areas:
| Fund | Grant scheme and allocation (£) | Grant range |
|---|---|---|
| UKSPF | Funding for new, or improvements to existing, community and neighbourhood infrastructure projects including those that increase communities’ resilience to natural hazards, such as flooding. (£138,693) | Minimum grant £1000. Maximum grant £20,000 |
| REPF | Funding for small scale investment in micro and small enterprises in rural areas (£30,000) | Minimum grant £5000. Maximum grant £20,000 |
| REPF | Investment in capacity building and infrastructure support for local civil society and community groups (£40,000) | Minimum grant £5000. Maximum grant £30,000 |
| REPF | Impactful volunteering and social action projects to develop social and human capital (£10,000) | Minimum grant £500. Maximum grant £5,000 |
| REPF | Creation and improvements to local rural green spaces (£15,675) | Minimum grant £500. Maximum grant £5,000 |
| REPF | Active travel enhancements in the local area (£70,000) | Minimum grant £5000. Maximum grant £20,000 |
Apply by 30 June 2025
The schemes will close to applications at midday on Monday 30 June 2025.
- We will aim to acknowledge your application in five working days.
- We will aim to advise you whether your application is eligible within 10 working days.
- We will assess applications and let applicants know whether their application has been successful in July 2025.
Please note:
- Spend cannot start before a grant funding agreement has been signed.
- We are looking for projects to have co-funding and this must be secured rather than awaiting confirmation, to be considered eligible.
- We cannot fund any projects retrospectively - applications cannot be accepted retrospectively where works have already started.
- All successful projects must be completed, costs defrayed, and any outstanding amounts claimed for by 31 January 2026.
- Priority will be given to any business or organisation that have not previously been awarded a UKSPF/REPF grant.
- Once the full allocation has been met, we will retain a 'stand by' list of applications that will be considered should any projects become unviable, and as such release funding back into the scheme.
Eligible costs
We can provide capital funding only. We are not able to fund revenue projects or provide revenue funding to support a capital project. Capital funds can be used to acquire, build, or upgrade physical assets, including:
- A one-time purchase of a fixed asset
- Acquisition of land and or buildings
- Building and construction costs
- Plant, machinery and equipment
The following costs are considered ineligible and must not be included in applications:
- Paid for lobbying, entertaining, petitioning, or challenging decisions, which means using the Fund to lobby (via an external firm or in-house staff) in order to undertake activities intended to influence or attempt to influence Parliament, government or political activity including the receipt of UKSPF funding; or attempting to influence legislative or regulatory action
- Payments for activities of a party political or exclusively religious nature
- VAT reclaimable from HMRC
- Gifts, or payments for gifts or donations
- Statutory fines, criminal fines, or penalties
- Payments for works or activities which the lead local authority, project deliverer, end beneficiary, or any member of their partnership has a statutory duty to undertake, or that are fully funded by other sources
- Contingencies and contingent liabilities
- Dividends
- Bad debts, costs resulting from the deferral of payments to creditors, or winding up a company
- Expenses in respect of litigation, unfair dismissal or other compensation
- Costs incurred by individuals in setting up and contributing towards private pension schemes
- Stocks and supplies
Additional information
- Grants can only cover the approved project and are only available to fund items of capital expenditure. The grant awarded will not exceed the amount of capital work within an application
- We would recommend that the UKSPF and REPF Community Grants provide up to 80% of the costs, with the remaining 20% of costs provided by 'co funding'. This co-funding must be secured rather than awaiting confirmation, to be considered eligible.
- The REPF Business Grants can provide up to 70% of the costs with the remaining 30% of costs provided by 'co funding'. This co-funding must be secured rather than awaiting confirmation, to be considered eligible.
- Grants will only be paid in full on completion of the project (no part payments) and only to the applicant (no payment of invoices on behalf of the applicant). Applicants should make sure they have the resources in place to complete and pay for all phases of the scheme as Bedford Borough Council will be unable to make payment until the final scheme has been completed and evidenced.
- Where a scheme costs less than originally estimated the amount of grant paid will be reduced accordingly.
- Works must be completed and grants claimed by 31st January 2026.
- You will need to adhere to the branding guidelines for UKSPF. This includes the installation of a plaque to acknowledge the funding. Visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: branding and publicity (6) on GOV.UK for further details.
Funding arrangements
Successful applicants will enter into a grant agreement with the council. If we approve your project, you must:
- Trade for three years from the end of the grant funding period
- Deliver all outputs as detailed in your full application
- Supply evidence of expenditure and defrayal
- Grants will be paid in arrears. This means you will need to make the purchase before you receive the grant money. You will need to provide us with proof of purchase/payment to enable us to pay you the grant funding.
- Payments will be made to businesses/organisations upon verification of completion. which may include confirmation of approvals from other bodies s, unless otherwise agreed
- You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to pay for the project costs upfront or in instalments
Applicants must ensure that any project/programme put forward is compliant with the UK Subsidy Control regime and will be asked to demonstrate this within the application form. Applicants will be asked to declare whether they or any businesses/organisations they are formally linked with have received funding from EU or other public sources when they apply.
All projects must comply with UKSPF procurement procedures. This includes three quotes for the purchase of any goods or services between the value of £2,500 and £25,000. We will request quotes prior to issuing a funding agreement and a minimum of one quote should be submitted with your application.
Visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: procurement (8) on GOV.UK for more information.
Funding will be awarded on the basis that applicants have all necessary permissions in place to undertake any planned activity and pass all necessary due-diligence checks. The council may ask for evidence before a grant agreement is issued, however this is the sole responsibility of the applicant.
Guidance documents and applications forms
Please see the relevant guidance below and complete and return the application to bedfordukspf@bedford.gov.uk.
- UKSPF Community Grant Scheme guidance and FAQs (PDF)
- UKSPF Community Grant Scheme application form (Word)
- REPF Business Grant Scheme guidance and FAQs (PDF)
- REPF Business Grant Scheme application form (Word)
- REPF Community Grant Scheme guidance and FAQs (PDF)
- REPF Community Grant Scheme application form (Word)
