Community groups, parish councils, and heritage organisations have been urged to bid for a piece of the Wychavon Rural Fund's latest funding round.

This opportunity allows charities and voluntary groups in Worcester, Evesham and Malvern to lay claim to a sum of £25,000 to lend support to community projects.

Measures such as curtailing carbon emissions, such as introducing community EV charging points or ramping up energy efficiency in community buildings and village halls, are covered under the initiative.

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Green development projects, bolstering footpaths, promoting biking, or creating play areas are also on the list of beneficiaries, as are proposals that aim to enhance and support valued cultural, heritage, and tourist assets such as museums, art venues, exhibition centres, libraries, theatres, and even film facilities within rural areas.

The fundings are solely allocated to enable capital projects, meaning they are to be spent on physical aspects, such as infrastructure and buildings, but not to aid staff costs or everyday spending.

Those wanting to take part must express interest by January 5, 2024.

Successful entries will then be reviewed and asked to present a full application.

Cllr Paul Middlebrough, executive board member for town and rural vitality on Wychavon District Council, welcomed project ideas, saying: "We know there are many great ideas and projects out there so if you have one, please put forward your expression of interest.

"If you're not sure if your project will qualify, then please pick up the phone and talk to us, we'll be happy to offer advice."

To express interest or to gather more information, visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/rural-fund, or call Georgie Muckle, UKSPF Support Officer, on 01684 862270 for help with your application.

The Wychavon Rural Fund implements some of the council’s share from the Rural England Shared Prosperity Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is provisioned by the Government as part of their Levelling Up agenda.