Stroud Businesses and Groups Have a Week to Bid for £5,000 Grants

Businesses, charities and community groups in the Stroud district have one week left to apply for grants of up to £5,000 from Stroud District Council’s £100,000 Sustainable Economy Fund. The first round closes on Sunday 22 November.

The fund pays for projects that bring clear economic benefits to the district, and the council is particularly interested in a greener economy, skills, enterprise, stronger communities and opportunities for young people. Ideas it suggests include equipment, training, workspace improvements, tourism and cultural projects, accessibility improvements and local food initiatives.

How much, and who can apply

There are two levels of grant: up to £2,000, and from £2,001 to £5,000. Match funding is welcome but not required. Businesses, sole traders, community interest companies, charities, social enterprises, town and parish councils, and schools, colleges and training providers can all apply, but sole traders and businesses that have been trading for less than two years can only apply for up to £2,000.

Projects must be in the Stroud district, must not have started yet, need any permissions such as planning in place, and must be finished by 31 October 2027. Grants are paid only into a business or organisation bank account.

Why it’s worth applying now

A second round is planned from 2 April to 16 May 2027, but the council expects the fund to be oversubscribed and says that if it gets enough good applications in round one it may award all the money then and cancel round two.

Applications are made on the online or paper form on the council’s fund page, which also has the guidance notes. The council says most online applications take 20 to 30 minutes if you have your project details ready.

More from the area: Stroud, Nailsworth, Painswick and Minchinhampton.

Details checked on 15 November 2026 using Stroud District Council’s Sustainable Economy Fund page.

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Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington runs What's up, Cotswolds? with Lydia Mee, alongside What's up, Stratford? and What's up, Warwick?: independent guides to what's on, local news and the practical things.