Please see note below from Libby Kingsley, Economic Development and Tourism Manager at Rutland County Council

The Prince’s Countryside Fund – Autumn Round to Open to UK on 7 September

The Prince’s Countryside Fund was established to support the sustainability and protection of farms and rural communities throughout the UK. The aim of the funding is to have a long-term positive impact on rural communities, helping those that live and work there to sustain the countryside by tackling key rural issues.

The Fund is available to not-for-profit organisations, charities, Social Enterprises, Community Interest Companies, Companies Limited by Guarantee, and Unincorporated Associations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Funding is for a maximum of three years and for a maximum grant of £50,000 per project.

Projects must focus on at least one of the following countryside issues:

*       Thriving Rural Communities – projects that provide innovative solutions to deliver assets and services that keep rural communities together and develop a more sustainable rural economy ie, empowering communities to provide village services or create business hubs and employment for local people.
*       Rural Livelihoods – projects that focus on developing stronger, more sustainable farm and rural enterprises with the aim of halting the decline of the rural economy, ie providing rural businesses with support and advice or supporting farmer led initiatives.
*       Farmers of the Future – projects that help improve skills and increase opportunities of taking up rural careers, in particular in farming, with the aim of remaining within and contributing to the rural economy, ie training opportunities and apprenticeship schemes, inspiring and enabling new entrants to consider a career in farming.

The fund is expected to open on 7 September 2015 and close on 8 October 2015.

Libby Kingsley | Economic Development and Tourism Manager

Rutland County Council

Catmose, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6HP

t: 01572 720 983

m: 0791 761 3252

e: lkingsley@rutland.gcsx.gov.uk <mailto:lkingsley@rutland.gcsx.gov.uk>

www.rutland.gov.uk <http://www.rutland.gov.uk/>