External Support

This annual review from the Enterprise Research Centre offers a clear picture of the UK’s small business landscape in a year marked by cost pressures, economic uncertainty, and fragmented support. Entrepreneurial

Climathons are helping rural communities co-design local responses to climate challenges—through collaboration, creativity, and practical action. Adapted from the original Climate-KIC methodology, this approach has been tailored for rural areas by

Community-led energy projects are helping rural areas take control of their sustainability and resilience—generating local benefits while contributing to national net zero goals. As rural regions face rising grid reinforcement costs,

Innovation support often overlooks the realities of rural business, yet local adaptations are helping to bridge the gap. This resource explores how rural businesses—despite being highly innovative—face structural disadvantages compared to

Innovation in rural areas often emerges through adaptation—modifying existing practices, tools, and systems to address evolving challenges in practical and locally meaningful ways. This resource explores how innovation functions not only

The Community Spaces Partnership (CSP) brings together three organisations—Community Action Northumberland (CAN), Action with Communities in Cumbria (ACT), and Durham Community Action (DCA)—to invest in rural community spaces with the support

Agri-food innovation is playing a vital role in the transition to net zero, with rural areas at the centre of experimentation and change. This resource brings together case studies and research

Electric cargo (e-cargo) bikes are emerging as a practical and sustainable option for last-mile delivery in rural areas—offering a low-emission alternative to vans, particularly for smaller-scale logistics. This resource explores how

Helping young people and new entrants enter, and succeed in, the agricultural industry. Author(s): The Royal Countryside Fund

The Royal Countryside Fund, focused on rural UK communities, aims to empower local solutions for a thriving countryside. With a new 2024 strategy, we’re enhancing our support through facilitation, connection, and

This briefing examines Covid-19’s impact on rural economies, offering recommendations for the UK government. While UK-focused, its insights resonate with EU rural economies. Author(s): Jeremy Phillipson, Matthew Gorton, Roger Turner, Mark

Rural residents face significant mobility and service access challenges, worsened by the lack of a clear national rural transport policy. In response to the Department for Transport’s call for evidence on