Small Capital Grants Now Available for Village Halls in Rural England

Village halls are at the heart of rural community life—providing essential spaces for social activities, services, and local events. A new funding opportunity has now opened to help rural communities upgrade and improve these vital buildings.

The Village Hills Small Grants Fund, provided by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and administered by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), is now accepting applications.

This fund forms part of the government’s £3 million Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund, first launched in 2022 to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee. The new release is specifically designed to help volunteer-led village halls take practical steps toward making capital improvements.

What Funding Is Available?

Grants of £2,000 to £5,000 are available, covering up to 20% of eligible capital project costs, including VAT.

All funded works must be completed by 31 March 2026.

The fund focuses on capital improvements, not general repairs or routine maintenance. Projects must enhance, upgrade, extend, or improve the hall.

Eligible expenditure includes (but is not limited to):

• Building extensions
• Internal reconfiguration
• New or refurbished roofs (including insulation)
• Refurbished toilets and kitchens
• Damp proofing
• Electrical upgrades and installation of broadband/Wi-Fi
• Guttering, repointing and drainage—if part of wider improvement works
• Replacement doors, floors, and windows
• Permanent fixtures installed as part of improvement works

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcome from the following:

• Registered charities
• Charitable trusts
• Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)
• Community Associations that are registered charities
• Multi-purpose church halls, Scout and Guide buildings (where they meet community access criteria)
• Charitable companies

To be eligible, village halls must:

• Be charity-owned and community-managed
• Be located in a rural area with a population under 10,000
• Have freehold or leasehold arrangements with at least 21 years remaining

When to Apply

Applications open on:

? 10 November 2025

…and will close when all funds are allocated.

For more information and how to apply Click Here