Significant projects, programmes & campaigns

We as the broker for the government’s strategic investment in the ACRE Network. Currently, we have a multi-year agreement with Defra who are investing £1.7m in our members’ support for rural communities where this relates to digital inclusion, transport, housing, net zero and business support, amongst others. Find out more.

ACRE is delivering a £2.5m programme funded by Defra that is creating of a new network of Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs). These are specialists who help rural communities consider the need for affordable housing locally, connecting them with landowners, housebuilders and planners to bring about suitable schemes.

Through a network of skilled advisers, ACRE coordinates a nationwide information and advice service for village halls. Advisers are based in every rural county of England and combine their specialist knowledge of running community buildings with local knowledge.

As part of this commitment to serving village halls, we are pleased to be managing a £3 million grant fund on behalf of Defra to support the modernisation and improvement of these buildings. We also offer loans to help management committees fill temporary gaps in funding, either for specific projects or for urgent work.

We organise an annual campaign shining a spotlight on the contribution England’s 10,000+ village halls make to rural communities. This usually takes place in the third week of March each year.