INSPIRE Leicestershire (Investment Support in the Rural Economy) is a comprehensive programme to support Leicestershire’s rural economy. It is funded by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and Leicestershire County Council and delivered in part by the County Council’s Better Places Team.

INSPIRE aims to support farmers and other land-based businesses, equestrian businesses, landowners, business partnerships, retailers, small accommodation providers and tourist attractions in rural Leicestershire and its market towns. INSPIRE will help contribute to the development and diversification of existing and new rural businesses, support and encourage entrepreneurial activity along with supporting increased business efficiency and profitability.

INSPIRE can provide financial support through four targeted grant schemes . These focus on shop front improvements, provision of increased workspace or retail floorspace, encouraging the development of the visitor economy, improvements to equestrian businesses, and support for the conversion of redundant rural buildings.

Inspire Leicestershire also includes other elements to support Town Centre Partnerships , including support to undertake the Market Town Benchmarking Toolkit and a small project fund to pump-prime activity which supports local business development.