Defra opens rural broadband funding applications

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 10 May 2012 at 14:22

The Government has unveiled plans for allocating the £20 million Rural Community Broadband Fund (RCBF), with applications now open for a share of the cash.

The Defra funding – aimed at providing better broadband services in rural areas – is open for applications until 6 July, with grants of up to £25,000 per scheme available, providing they meet strict criteria.

Social and community enterprises, charities or private businesses can apply for the funding, which is intended to help communities left out of other broadband schemes - both commercial and funded by Broadband Delivery UK through the Government's £530 million broadband budget.

The fund will back those communities working to help themselves by bringing broadband to their homes and helping businesses develop and grow

“Superfast broadband has the potential to transform our most remote communities by opening up a world of new opportunities,” said Communications Minister Ed Vaizey.

“The fund will back those communities working to help themselves by bringing broadband to their homes and helping businesses develop and grow.”

Being a public funded project, however, means that getting hold of the funds will involve a tortuous process, starting with completing an Expression of Interest form, the details of which are laid out in a 24-page Applicant's Handbook.

There are several restrictions as to how and when the money can be spent, with funds only handed out after the completion of the project, so local businesses and communities would need to get the operations up and running before receiving any cash.

The funding will cover up to half of the total eligible costs for a project, up to a maximum of £300 per premise.