Hampshire County Council (HCC) and the cross-sector Hampshire Prosperity Partnership (HPP) Board have launched the call for proposals, using a pooled pot of former Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) funds known as the “LEP legacy reserves.”
The fund follows the closure of the Enterprise M3 and Solent LEPs in April 2024, when their responsibilities and assets were transferred to upper-tier councils, including HCC.
As part of this change, the HPP Board was created to bring together representatives from local government, business, education and other sectors to steer how the legacy funding is used.
The scheme offers capital-only funding, meaning it can support infrastructure, equipment or long-term development, but not day-to-day running costs.
Projects must support sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Hampshire and meet at least one of the following priority areas:
- High-potential business sectors and industry clusters
- Business support initiatives
- Infrastructure such as energy, digital connectivity, transport or business space
- Skills, employment and career development programmes
Eligible lead applicants include public bodies, business groups representing multiple organisations, and universities or colleges.
Joint applications are allowed, but one organisation must act as the lead. Each lead applicant can submit up to two proposals.
Applications must use the official Business Case Template and be emailed to the designated address by Friday, January 16, 2026.
Successful projects may receive funding as either a grant or, in some cases, a loan, with recipients required to sign the appropriate agreement.
More information can be found here.
