Apply now to UK Wide Supporting Rural Communities grant programme
The Royal Countryside Fund’s Supporting Rural Communities grant programme is now open to expressions of interest from until the 21st February.
The Fund believes that transformative, community-led initiatives across the UK, are ‘unlocking the huge potential for positive change in rural communities’. They want to support these locally rooted organisations to deliver innovative projects and solutions that will “power up, not prop up” communities, inspiring change and encouraging economic vibrancy.
This could be a great opportunity for community owned pubs or shops – is that you? Do explore the information here to see if there is a good fit.
Who Can Apply
Community organisations, with an income of less than £500,000 a year which are a:
- constituted voluntary or community organisation
- registered, exempt or excepted charity
- charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
- not-for-profit company limited by guarantee
- community interest company (CIC)
- community benefit society
- co-operative society
Applications from Cumbria and Northumberland will not be accepted in this round due to a recent programme focused on these counties
What Will It Fund
Organisations can apply for grants of up to £25,000 over a period of 24 months to deliver activities along the themes of:
- Keeping young people in the countryside
- Powering up rural communities
- Increasing environmental sustainability
- Building emergency resilience in rural areas.
Timeline
- 21 February 2025 – Deadline for Expressions of Interest
- 22 March 2025 – Shortlisted organisations are invited to submit a full application
- 19 April 2025 – Deadline for full applications.
- Late May/early June 2025 – successful applicants will be notified.
Please see the website for detailed information, links to webinars and case studies, and exclusions.