Twelve community-led projects across the UK, which will benefit people living and working in rural areas, have been awarded £400,000 of grant funding.
The Prince’s Countryside Fund awards grants twice a year to local rural organisations, and since 2010 has distributed more than £9 million in funding.
The Fund’s mission is to help ensure a thriving farming sector, and its grant programme is a major focus of activity to achieve this.
The diverse range of projects that have been awarded grant funding will help create locally-delivered solutions to the challenges facing rural areas.
Support and guidance
This includes improving the prospects for farm businesses, to sustaining communities through the reintroduction of essential services.
Farming-related organisations to receive funding includes the Farmer Network, which received two grants.
It is based in Cumbria and Northumberland, and is a not for profit organisation solely developed to help, support and guide farmers in Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales.
The Farming Life Centre, also awarded a grant, provides health and well-being and business related information and support to the farming and rural community of the Derbyshire and Staffordshire Peak District.
'Creativity'
Announcing the grant recipients, Claire Saunders, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said it is "delighted" to be able to help rural projects.
“The applications we received for this round of funding demonstrate the breadth of challenges faced by those living in rural areas, and the creativity of organisations in working together and coming up with the solutions to solve them,” Ms Saunders explained.
“From helping villages in Somerset open community run shops allowing them access to essential services, to providing access to training for young entrants to agriculture in Powys – The Prince’s Countryside Fund is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in our great British countryside.”
The new grants
Bay Search and Rescue, Cumbria
Brecknock Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, Powys
Cothrom, Outer Hebrides
Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop Ltd, Devon
Farmborough Community Shop Ltd, Somerset
The Farmer Network (two grants awarded), Cumbria and Northumberland
The Farming Life Centre, Derbyshire
North Devon +, Devon
Northumberland Community Development Company, Northumberland
North Ronaldsay Trust, North Ronaldsay
Roadwater Village Community Shop Ltd, Somerset
