Funding for rural areas

Funding from the SPF (Shared Prosperity Fund) has now been extended to run from April - December 2025. There are two grants available:

1. Swansea Rural Anchor Grant Scheme
2. Swansea Rural Anchor Grant Scheme (renewable energy)

The wards eligible for support are:

• Bishopston
• Clydach
• Fairwood
• Gorseinon and Penyrheol
• Gower
• Gowerton
• Llangyfelach
• Llwchwr
• Penclawdd
• Penllergaer
• Pennard
• Pontarddulais
• Pontlliw and Tircoed

Who can apply:

• constituted community groups - not for profit 
• charities 
• third sector organisations - not for profit
• public organisations - not for profit 

Who is not eligible to apply:

• businesses
• for profit organisations 
• primary agriculture and community-supported agriculture schemes
• un-constituted community groups
• community Groups without their own bank account 
• individuals 

Grant claims are usually paid in arrears and on receipt of expenditure evidence. Upon request, a proportion of the grant may be issued upfront if the project's cash flow requires it.

The grant schemes open on 1 April 2025 and all available funds will be made available at this time. Any applications received by 14 April 2025 will be processed and assessed by the grant panel week commencing 28 April 2025. The schemes will remain open until all funds are committed.

All projects must be delivered by 31 October 2025 and all claims must be completed by 30 November 2025.

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

1. Swansea Rural Anchor Grant Scheme

This is a grant delivered by Swansea Council and supported by the Rural Advisory Group, with the objective of adding benefit to rural communities. 

• Revenue grants:
  • minimum grant £1,000
  • maximum grant £15,000
• Rural Anchor Grants do not require match funding. All grants are awarded at a 100% intervention rate and can be used as match against other grant bodies.
• Funding costs are revenue only.
• Applicants may only submit one application to Swansea Rural Anchor in this funding round.
• Award of the grant is entirely at the discretion of Swansea Council.

Swansea Rural Anchor Grant Scheme - full guidance (Word doc, 815 KB)

2. Swansea Rural Anchor Grant Scheme (renewable energy)

This is a grant delivered by Swansea Council and supported by the Rural Advisory Group, with the objective of enabling organisations to work towards net carbon zero within rural areas.

• Capital grants:
  • minimum grant £5,000
  • maximum grant £25,000
• Rural Anchor Grants do not require match funding. All grants are awarded at a 100% intervention rate and can be used as match against other grant bodies.
• Funding costs are capital only.
• Applicants may only submit one application to Swansea Rural Anchor in this funding round.
• Award of the funding is entirely at the discretion of Swansea Council.

Swansea Rural Anchor Grant Scheme (renewable energy) - full guidance (Word doc, 807 KB)