Small Grants Scheme Reopens for Village Halls in England

Village halls in England can once again apply for small grants to support improvements, as the Defra-funded scheme managed by Action with Rural Communities in England (ACRE) has reopened.

The grants, ranging from £2,000 to £5,000, are designed to help committees responsible for rural community buildings undertake smaller-scale projects, including:

• Disability access improvements
• Toilet upgrades
• Installation of new kitchens

Applicants must provide 80% match funding, and all project spending must be completed by 31 March 2026. The scheme will remain open until the available funding has been fully allocated.

The small grants form part of a wider investment in village halls. In 2023, a £3 million Village Halls Fund was launched to support the modernisation and improvement of rural community buildings, with further funding allocated for the financial year ending March 2026. Hundreds of halls have already benefited, undertaking works such as new roofs, insulation, extensions and upgraded heating systems.

ACRE has introduced a streamlined online application process and simplified eligibility criteria to help smaller projects come forward.

Deborah Clarke, Village Halls Manager at ACRE, said:

“We hope the small grants now on offer will help more village hall management committees make much needed improvements to their buildings. Ninety-five community buildings benefitted when the fund was open previously.

With increasing energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis, the need to have warm, welcoming and accessible spaces open to everyone has become ever more important in the countryside. Often village halls are the only place where people can meet and socialise locally, and they provide a venue from which many self-employed people earn a livelihood.

The availability of grant funding from government supports the continued use of these important rural assets.”

The full details and the application portal are available here