to provide additional services for local residents and businesses and enhance the sustainability of these services through income generation.

The programme aims to support existing community spaces to provide new facilities for use by local businesses and residents. The grants are available in rural settlements of fewer than 7,000 people.

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) have produced a report of their 2009 survey looking at the economic impact of community buildings in rural communities. The report can be read here:

Vibrant Villages can provide capital grants of up to £10,000 to existing community spaces (for example, village or community halls, rooms within places of worship, public houses and schools) for:
Adaptations to community buildings which will enable additional services to be provided.
Projects which support the provision of local economic activity including the delivery of training and learning opportunities, childcare, improved ICT provision, business and social enterprise meeting space, or improved access to advice services.
Projects which enable community facilities to improve their sustainability through enterprise and income generation.
Eligible organisations must contribute a minimum of 50% of total project costs.