New Forest District Council has opened applications for organisations, community groups and businesses to benefit from funding.
The funding is available through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), the Community Grant Scheme, and Supporting Local Business Grant Scheme.
Community groups, registered charities, schools and statutory infrastructure providers are amongst the number of groups that can apply for up to £100k towards their infrastructure project for allocation from 2026 to 2027 through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
In April 2025, 31 projects were chosen to benefit from CIL and the projects ranged from new play areas and multi-use games areas to footpath improvements, solar panel installations, and enhancements to community buildings.
Applications are open from Monday 2 June and can be submitted until Friday 8 August 2025: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/article/3423/CIL-bids-and-expenditure
Community groups and businesses can also apply for up to £10,000 through the Community Grant Scheme and Supporting Local Business Grant Scheme.
Applicants must be based in the New Forest district and within either towns, villages and hamlets with populations below 10,000 and the wider countryside, or market or hub towns with populations of up to 30,000.
Applications are open from Monday 2 June to Monday 30 June 2025: https://www.newforest.gov.uk/RuralFund
Cllr Derek Tipp, portfolio holder for planning and economy, said: “These are fantastic opportunities for applicants to secure funding.
The funding will help to shape our place now and for future generations, empowering residents to live healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives, and supporting high-quality business bases and economic centres to thrive and grow.
If you’re a community organisation or rural business, now’s the time to apply.”
