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Funding for rural areas

Swansea has received funding from the UK Government under the Shared Prosperity Fund, which is part of the Levelling Up agenda.

Levelling up and funded by UK Gov logos - ENG.

Funding for this grant is now closed. We are currently assessing all applications which were submitted in round 3, which closed on 19 January 2024.

To date, we have awarded funding to 26 rural-based projects: £202,368.11 in round 1 and £177, 823.36 in round 2. We hope to award the remaining £104,808.53 to round 3 applicants by the beginning of March 2024.

Under the locally developed Rural Anchor, grant funding is available to Swansea's rural communities for projects supporting the themes of:

  • rural economy and visitor experience
  • natural environment and climate emergency
  • health and wellbeing
  • innovation

Within these themes we are looking for projects that deliver against at least one of the following interventions:

  • investment in renewable energy (capital grants), for example renewable energy schemes for community buildings or community car and bike charging points  
  • biodiversity (revenue grants), for example rural greening projects for improving biodiversity, community growing (excluding CSAs), and re-utilising underused spaces as biodiversity assets  
  • volunteering (revenue grants), for example volunteering projects to engage different stakeholder groups in rural communities - these could include community transport, environmental, befriending schemes, community action
  • feasibility studies (revenue grants), examples of the types of proposals: studies with fully costed plans to assist with unlocking future funding support - this could be a community transport, community facilities such a museum or hub
  • local markets and visitor trails (revenue grants), for example rural markets and rural visitor trails, initiatives that would improve footfall on rural high streets, including pop up events, marketing campaigns and resources, development of apps.

Revenue projects can receive up to £15,000 and capital projects can receive up to £25,000. Projects can be 100% funded, but if you wish to run a project that has a higher total value than the grant maximums you can add additional funds from other sources.

The wards eligible for support are:

  • Bishopston  
  • Clydach (includes Craig Cefn Parc) 
  • Fairwood 
  • Gorseinon and Penyrheol 
  • Gower  
  • Gowerton 
  • Llangyfelach 
  • Llwchwr 
  • Penclawdd 
  • Penllergaer 
  • Pennard 
  • Pontarddulais (includes old Mawr ward) 
  • Pontlliw and Tircoed 

Projects in other wards may be supported on a case-by-case basis if they are on the geographical fringes of the above-named wards, or in extraordinary circumstances areas with extensive natural environments in other wards.

The full guidance for the scheme is below but if you have any questions after reading it, or if you are ready to apply and need a copy of the application form, please email the team at ruralanchorspf@swansea.gov.uk

Swansea Rural Anchor Grant Scheme - guidance (Word doc) [761KB]

Rural health and wellbeing support

This directory contains details of a range of support organisations, many of which are focused on those living and working in rural areas.

Rural Development Programme (RDP)

Supported businesses, farmers, the countryside, and communities in rural areas across Wales from 2014 - 2023.