Ryde Neighbourhood Board

26/10/2026

Ryde businesses – have you applied for the Isle of Wight SME Fund yet?

A reminder that funding is available to help local businesses invest, grow and create or safeguard jobs - with a dedicated £200,000 fund specifically for Ryde-based businesses!

Eligible businesses can apply for capital grants of £5,000 to £50,000 to support investment projects, with a minimum 50 per cent contribution from the business.

If you’re a small or medium-sized business in Ryde with plans to grow, invest in new equipment or premises, or create and protect local jobs, this could be a great opportunity to help make it happen.

Applications need to be in before the end of the year, so don’t miss out!

Find out more about eligibility and how to apply via the link in the Isle of Wight Council’s original post below. 👇

In case you missed it...

Businesses on the Isle of Wight will be backed with a £600,000 fund to support growth, investment and job creation 🤝

Small and medium-sized businesses across the Island, with a designated proportion of funds allocated specifically to Ryde, are being encouraged to apply for up to £50,000 of capital grants through the Isle of Wight SME Fund.

Previously known as the Isle of Wight Rural SME Fund, the programme has now been expanded to support eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Island 🌍

This has been funded through the Solent Growth Partnership. The programme aims to help businesses overcome barriers to growth through capital investment projects that create or safeguard jobs while securing additional private sector investment.

Two parallel funds make up the total £600,000 figure. The "whole-Island" Isle of Wight SME Fund consists of £400,000, while there is also a focused fund of £200,000 for Ryde based-businesses, which includes £100,000 of funding from Ryde Neighbourhood Board. Ryde businesses could still access further 'whole-Island' funds if there is the volume of good quality applications.

To be eligible, applicants must…

Be a young or established SME trading on the Isle of Wight ✅

Be seeking support for a capital investment project ✅

Apply for a grant between £5,000 and £50,000 ✅

Demonstrate a minimum of 50% private sector contribution towards the project (e.g if the overall project cost is £30,000, business can bid for £15,000 from the fund) ✅

Demonstrate how the project will create or safeguard sustainable private sector jobs on the Island ✅

Projects that deliver wider economic benefits and contribute to sustainable growth across the Island will be prioritised.

Application forms and further guidance for applying can be found here: https://ow.ly/NuPA50ZYpYj

13/10/2026

We’re reminding organisations, businesses and partnerships that the deadline to express interest in grant funding for major Ryde community projects is approaching.

Up to £300,000 of Pride In Place money is available under the board’s Major Grants Programme.

The pilot programme enables larger-scale projects to deliver clear, lasting benefits for local people and make Ryde an even better place to live, work and visit.

Grants of over £20,000 and up to £300,000 are available, and we want to hear bold, practical ideas from organisations and partnerships that will visibly improve the town.

From 2026 to 2030, the programme will focus on five themes:
• High Streets,
• Regeneration and Heritage,
• Skills and Education,
• Health and Wellbeing
• Safety and Security.

We’re particularly interested in projects that unite people, create opportunities, strengthen the local economy and community, and deliver tangible improvements across Ryde.

Initial Expressions of Interest must be submitted by midnight on Friday 16 October 2 2026. Those invited to progress will then be asked to submit a full application. The deadline for full applications is midnight on Friday 15 January 2027.

Further details are available on our website and Expression of Interest Forms can be downloaded from the webpage www.rydeneighbourhoodboard.org.uk/apply-grant/ or by emailing [email protected] or calling 01983 823841.

Let’s make the most of this opportunity!

13/10/2026

MAJOR GRANT FUNDING FOR RYDE – NOW OPEN!

Have an idea that could make a real difference to Ryde? We want to hear from you!

The Ryde Neighbourhood Board’s 2026 Major Grants Pilot Programme is now open for Expressions of Interest (EOIs), offering an opportunity for local organisations, community groups and businesses to help create a brighter future for our town.

WHAT ARE THE FUNDING PRIORITIES?

Funding will focus on four key themes identified by Ryde’s communities:

🏘️ High streets, regeneration and heritage

🎓 Skills and education

💚 Health and wellbeing

🛡️ Safety and security

WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS CAN BE FUNDED?

We’re looking for projects that provide direct benefits to Ryde residents and help make the town a better place to live, work and visit, both now and in the future.

Projects must align with the Board’s 10-year Vision, focus their benefits in Ryde, demonstrate a clear need for funding and have a defined start and finish. Projects must not have already started.

Funding can support a range of activities and project costs, including staff and training, capital works and heritage conservation, events, professional fees and organisational development.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applications are welcome from not-for-profit organisations, commercial enterprises and partnerships, including:

✅ Charities, trusts and charitable incorporated organisations

✅ Community and voluntary groups

✅ Ryde Town Council and Isle of Wight Council

✅ Community Interest Companies (CICs)

✅ Faith-based and church organisations

✅ Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), typically with fewer than 250 employees

Please note: Organisations must have a bank account, a governing document, and at least two unrelated directors or trustees who do not live at the same address.

Commercial enterprises must demonstrate clear benefits for Ryde and its communities, as well as a need for Board investment.

DEADLINE: MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2026

Find out more about eligibility, funding criteria and how to submit an Expression of Interest:
https://rydeneighbourhoodboard.org.uk/apply-grant/

02/10/2026

Ryde Neighbourhood Board have contributed a further £100,000 of Pride in Place funding to a new £500,000 Isle of Wight SME Fund, bringing a total of £600,000 to help businesses invest, grow and create or safeguard local jobs.

The £100,000 matched funding is part of a dedicated £200,000 fund earmarked exclusively for Ryde businesses, within the overall fund, with grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 available for eligible capital investment projects. Funding cannot be used for day-to-day business running costs such as salaries, rent, rates, utilities, stock or raw materials. Businesses must contribute at least 50% of the project cost and demonstrate how their investment will create or safeguard sustainable jobs. Projects that deliver wider economic benefits and contribute to sustainable growth across the Island will be prioritised.

For further information, businesses can contact the Isle of Wight Council’s Economic Development Team at [email protected]

The first application window is open from 1 October until 5pm on 31 December 2026. There is a one-stage application process, with application forms and guidance available from Isle of Wight Rural SME Fund | Isle of Wight https://innovationwight.co.uk/isle-of-wight-sme-fund/

Completed applications should be emailed to [email protected] before the deadline.

The Isle of Wight SME Fund is administered by the Isle of Wight Council and funded by the Solent Growth Partnership.

01/10/2026

Got a big idea for Ryde? There's up to £300,000 available to help make that happen and it's not too late to apply.

Ryde Neighbourhood Board has invited local organisations, businesses and partnerships to put forward ambitious, practical projects that could make a lasting difference to the town.

Grants of more than £20,000 and up to £300,000 are available through a new major grants programme supporting Ryde's 10-year Vision and five priority areas; High Streets, Regeneration & Heritage, Skills and Education, Health & Wellbeing and Safety & Security.

Whether it's creating new opportunities, strengthening the local economy, bringing people together, or improving community spaces, we want to hear your ideas.

Expressions of interest close at midnight on Friday 16 October 2026, so there's not long to go.

Find out more and download an expression of interest form at www.rydeneighbourhoodboard.org.uk/apply-grant/ or email [email protected] or call 01983 823841.

What could your big idea do for Ryde?

29/09/2026

We are delighted to announce the first recipients of our community grants programme.

Twenty-three local projects will receive a share of over £220,000 to deliver a variety of initiatives to make Ryde an even better place to live, work and visit.

This is just the start of the community grants programme – there will be opportunities to bid again next year and groups who have unfortunately been unsuccessful this year are more than welcome to apply in 2027.

In addition, we are currently seeking applications for our major grants programme and are also looking at specific new funding to support local businesses and health projects.

We are entering an exciting new phase of Pride in Place so please continue to watch this space.

To find out more about our work, Pride in Place and the community grants programme, including who has been successful in the first round, please visit https://rydeneighbourhoodboard.org.uk/first-community-grants-awarded/

25/09/2026

Our latest newsletter is out now! 📣

In this issue:
- Update from the Board
- Hearing your views
- Major grant fund launch – £300,000 fund opens door to bigger ideas for Ryde
- More about the Board and its partners
- Network Ryde hosts Youth engagement event
- Huge response to first small grants programme,
- Could you lead Ryde Neighbourhood Board? – deadline closing soon.
- Board vacancies

You can read or download a copy from our website https://rydeneighbourhoodboard.org.uk/autumn-newsletter-out-now/

Look out for printed copies around the town coming soon.

23/09/2026

Could you help shape Ryde's Future?

Do you have a passion for Ryde and the skills to bring people together? Ryde Neighbourhood Board is looking for a new Independent Chair to help guide the town's ambitious 10-year Vision and help shape how up to £19.5 million of Pride in Place funding is invested.

It's a unique opportunity to make a real difference to Ryde and its community and it's not too late to apply.

Applications close at midnight on 30 September 2026.

Interested? To find out more about the role and how to apply or to have an informal conversation about the role, please email [email protected]

22/09/2026

Recently, we welcomed schoolchildren to our first youth session at Network Ryde

The aim was simple: to give young people the opportunity to tell us what they love about Ryde, what they think could be improved, and how they would like to have their say in the future.

It was a genuinely engaging session, with some thoughtful ideas and great conversations. We’re really grateful to everyone who took part and shared their views.

In our reel Ryde Neighbourhood Board Member Richard May talks about why it’s so important that young people are part of the conversation about Ryde’s future.

A huge thank you to all the young people who joined us, and to Bex Swan and the team at Network Ryde for helping to facilitate such a positive and engaging session.

We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation with more events in the future.

02/09/2026

What’s the big idea? - Major grants now open
Ryde Neighbourhood Board is inviting ambitious project ideas that could help shape the town’s future, with grants of more than £20,000. Up to £300,000 is available through our new pilot Major Grants Programme.

We want to hear from organisations, businesses and partnerships with bold, practical plans that support Ryde’s 10-year vision and deliver lasting benefits for local people.

Priority themes include high streets, regeneration and heritage, skills and education, health and wellbeing, and safety and security.
Expression of Interest deadline is midnight, Friday 16 October 2026.
Find out more at www.rydeneighbourhoodboard.org.uk/apply-grant
where you can download an expression of interest form, or email [email protected] or call 01983 823841.
This is a real opportunity to make a positive difference to life in Ryde.

We look forward to receiving your applications!