The Isle of Wight Council has opened applications for the 2025 round of its Small Grants Programme.
A total of £150,000 is available, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized businesses across the Island.
2025 funding round: Details and deadlines
The Council will award grants ranging from £15,000 to £50,000 for capital projects that must be completed by 31 January 2026.
All applicants must contribute at least 50 per cent of the total project cost. Funding will be awarded through a competitive application process.
Applications are now open and must be submitted by 31 August 2025. Full guidance and the application form are available on the website.
Encouragement to apply
Councillor Julie Jones-Evans, chair of the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure Committee, welcomed the relaunch of the fund.
She said,
“We really welcome this fund, to enable our businesses to grow and develop.”
She added,
“The last round was a success and oversubscribed, so it proves that we have businesses on the Island ready to invest and innovate.
“I encourage businesses from anywhere on the Island to look at the guidance and see if it’s a good fit before they apply.”
Success of 2024 Programme
The 2025 grants follow a successful 2024 round, when the Council awarded £250,000 to ten Island businesses.
Funding came through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), which allocated just over £536,000 to the Isle of Wight in September 2022.
The REPF supports the government’s Levelling Up White Paper and the Future Farming Programme. It acts as a rural-focused extension of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Projects funded and their impact
In 2024, £286,000 went towards four significant capital projects. These included:
- A livestock collection centre and refrigerated lorry to support Island farming
- A rural creative centre to strengthen the creative economy
- An ecology and eco-engineering learning hub linking the environment with education
These projects have supported job creation, income diversification and wider rural sector growth. They also attracted more than £250,000 in private investment into the Island economy.
Support for Rural Businesses
Graham Biss, Vice Chairman of the Royal Isle of Wight Agricultural Society (RIWAS), highlighted the role of the Council’s support in delivering the livestock collection centre.
He said,
“The support received from the Isle of Wight Council via IW Rural Fund was key to the creation of the IW Collection Centre at the County Showground.”
He continued,
“It is intended that the Centre will support the Island‘s livestock sector during this challenging time and will be the future home for the Gilten Market and County Show Livestock Section.
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Further information on the successful grant applicants can be found on the website.
