Photo of Sidmouth town centre with East Devon District Council, Levelling Up, and Funded by UK Government logos

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has awarded 23 grants to community organisations and local tourism businesses as part of the district’s Culture, Leisure, and Tourism Fund.

The scheme, which provides grants to rural community organisations in the district to help decarbonise their buildings, opened to applications in June, with organisations able to apply for grants of up to £20,000 to support the work. Grants of up to £5,000 were also available for a number of tourism businesses to help them decarbonise or to improve the accessibility of their business.

In total EDDC has awarded more than £181,000 in grants through the scheme this summer and estimated around 70 tonnes of carbon could be saved per year as a result of the decarbonisation work due to be undertaken.

Photo of Councillor Nick Hookway

Councillor Nick Hookway, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Sport and Tourism, said:

“I am really pleased many of our local groups took the time to apply for funding and many were successful, enabling improvement works to begin. These projects will help improve access for our residents as well as benefit the environment we live in and help to cut energy bills. We are committed to supporting our local business and charities and look forward to announcing future grant schemes which may benefit them soon.”

Organisations can use the funding awarded towards decarbonisation projects such as loft insultation, solar panels and double glazing. Businesses could also apply to help with decarbonisation, or they can apply for support to improve accessibility in their buildings, such as ramp installation and improved access.

To be eligible for the money community organisations must be providing local cultural or leisure services in rural communities, own or lease their own buildings and must commit to match funding at least 10% of any grant awarded. Businesses which apply must be supporting the local tourism sector and commit to at least 50% match funding to be eligible for the scheme.

This scheme has received almost £190,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund.

A further £320,000 of funding to decarbonise community organisations and businesses will be available again in late spring/early summer next year.

Future funding opportunities will be promoted on our business newsletter.

For more information or if you have an enquiry about a potential project, please contact cltf@eastdevon.gov.uk