Allotment improvement grant scheme 2026/27
Overview
Rugby Borough Council’s Allotment Improvement Grant Scheme provides funding to support improvements to allotment sites across Rugby Borough.
The scheme aims to improve allotment facilities, increase accessibility, support biodiversity and climate resilience, encourage local food growing, and strengthen community participation. A total of £150,000 is available through the 2026/27 scheme.
Key Dates:
- Opening date: 17 August 2026
- Closing date: 28 September 2026
- Decision expected: Late October / November
- Project completion deadline: Successful applicants will have 12 months from the date they receive the grant funding to complete their project.
Funding available
Grants of between £1,000 and £25,000 are available.
Match funding is encouraged but is not essential.
Only one application can be submitted per eligible organisation.
Who can apply?
Applications are invited from:
- Registered allotment associations; and
- Parish councils that own or manage allotment sites.
Applicants must:
- be formally constituted;
- have a UK bank account in the organisation’s name; and
- demonstrate responsibility for managing the allotment site.
Projects must take place within Rugby Borough.
What can the grant support?
The scheme supports projects that improve allotment sites, including:
- infrastructure improvements;
- accessibility improvements;
- biodiversity and sustainability projects;
- climate resilience measures; and
- community growing and participation projects.
Projects must contribute to one or more of the scheme objectives:
- Health and wellbeing
- Climate change
- Biodiversity
- Local food resilience
- Infrastructure and accessibility
- Community participation and inclusion
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to, accessible paths, raised beds and accessible growing areas, water collection systems, composting facilities, wildlife and biodiversity enhancements and polytunnels or other communal growing infrastructure. Please refer to the Guidance Notes for the full eligibility criteria and further examples.
Applicants may apply for funding for multiple eligible items within a single application. However, only one application may be submitted per organisation.
Please note: Works, repairs, maintenance or improvements that are ordinarily the responsibility of the landowner or landlord, including statutory or routine obligations of the Council, are not eligible for funding.
Before applying, please read:
Before completing the form, please ensure you:
- have all required supporting documents available to upload;
- have considered and obtained any permissions or approvals required;
- have obtained quotations for project costs where required; and
- can complete the project within the grant period.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted online using the application form.
You will need to upload all required supporting documents as part of your application.
Before starting your online application, please review the Application Questions Checklist to help you prepare the information you will need to provide.
Please note: the Application Questions Checklist is provided for guidance only and is not the application form. Applications must be completed and submitted online through the application portal.
The online application form cannot be saved, so please ensure you have all required information and documents ready before you begin.
How applications will be assessed
Grant Criteria – Assessment Scoring Matrix can be accessed here.
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding. Applications will be assessed against the published criteria, and grants will be awarded subject to available funding.
Need support?
WCAVA provides support to community organisations in Rugby, including advice on grant applications and project development.
Website: WCAVA
Email: rugbyinfo@wcava.org.uk
Telephone: 01788 574258
Address: Hill Street Youth and Community Centre, Hill Street, Rugby, CV21 2NB .