Current funding streams open for applications.

Find out more about the current funding opportunities with the North East LEP.

Northern Powerhouse

There are currently no open opportunities via the Local Growth Fund.

NE Investment Fund

The North East Investment Fund is currently open for applications. Find out more here.

European Structural and Investment Fund

There are currently no opportunities open.

The £4m Project Development Accelerator Fund was established by the North East LEP Board in May 2021 to accelerate the development of regional strategic projects across the North East over the next two years.

The Fund will support both revenue and capital projects and award grants ranging from £50,000 to up to £100,000 towards the costs of project development activities. Only on an exceptional basis will a higher or lower level of funding be considered. Project proposals will require a minimum level of 30% match funding against total project development costs; this must take the form of financial cash match funding (i.e. not in-kind match). Funding spent or contracted prior to the application being submitted and approved will not be considered as matched funding.

There are currently no calls open for this fund.

For more information about the Project Development Accelerator Fund and to find out more about future calls please contact Nicola Laverick, Programme Manager, at [email protected]

Rural Community Energy Fund

The Rural Community Energy Fund aims to support rural communities across England to develop community led renewable energy projects. Developing renewable energy at a community level helps meet climate commitments whilst also offering benefits to the local community. The fund offers an opportunity to cover the up-front costs that are often prohibitive to community scale energy projects. Some of the technologies that can be explored include solar PV, heat pumps, hydropower and low carbon heat networks.

There are two stages to the funding. The first stage is for communities that are just beginning to explore options for renewable energy generation, this stage offers grants of up to £40,000 to cover consultancy and professional costs to determine if the project idea is feasible. The second stage offers a grant of up to £100,000 to look at creating full business cases for projects that stand a good chance of securing planning permission and being delivered.

Housing Associations

The Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) is also open to applications and Registered Social Landlords with rural housing stock are invited to apply. The fund offers grants of up to £40,000 to determine the technical feasibility of community scale renewable energy projects.

How to apply

For more information about the Rural Community Energy fund and to discuss any initial ideas or thoughts please contact Josh Sawyer on 07584154510 or [email protected].


Planning for future funding opportunities

New funding opportunities will be announced on this page when they become available.


Find out more

Want to find out more about projects that the LEP has funded?

View our projects page now