Rural community projects encouraged to apply for £25,000 grants

Not-for-profilt rural community organisations are being invited to apply for grants of up to £25,000 from The Royal Countryside Fund.

Founded by HM King Charles III in 2010 while he was The Prince of Wales, The Royal Countryside Fund focuses on the issues facing farming and rural communities.

The latest round of funding has grants of up to £250,000 available for not-for-profit rural organisations across the UK.

Project previously awarded grants include:

• Chopwell Regeneration CIO in Tyne & Wear was awarded £25,000 for its 'front of house' and 'administration' apprenticeship programme for Chopwell, which aims to increase skills, employability and confidence in young people and low skilled adults.

• Black Mountains College, based in Wales, were awarded £22,000 to support the delivery of community-based vocational training and short courses in rural skills, with the objectives of strengthening community resilience and retaining young people in the area.

• Erne Erst Community Partnership in Northern Ireland was awarded £12,500 towards its Men's Shed project, which aims to tackle social isolation and teach woodworking skills.

Maddy Taylor, head of operations at The Royal Countryside Fund, said:

"We are really keen to hear from people whose community projects are responding to specific needs in their village or town, to tackle problems such as isolation, lack of access to services, training, or employment, or that are improving the sustainability and resilience of countryside communities.

"We want to hear how your project is responding to demand from people in your area, and how it will make a real difference to improve the lives of people living in your local community."

Applications are open until Friday 20 October 2023. Interested organisations can check eiligibility and apply here.