The Royal Countryside Fund Opens for Autumn 2023 Round (UK)

Funding for not-for-profit community-led projects that improve the lives of those living in rural communities in the UK.

Previously known as the Prince’s Countryside Fund, the Royal Countryside Fund’s Supporting Rural Communities programme is supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust. The Royal Countryside Fund is a registered charity founded by HM King Charles III in 2010 while he was The Prince of Wales.

The Royal Countryside Fund is currently accepting applications from constituted, not-for-profit organisations with an income of less than £500,000 for projects that will create a long-term difference in rural communities across the UK.

Grants of up to £25,000 over two years are available for projects that can be completed by January 2026.

The funding is designed to support community-led projects that are pursuing innovative and strategic solutions to the challenges facing their rural area and which will improve the viability and resilience of their community.

Successful projects will achieve one or more of the following:

  • Support people to resolve existing and emerging community issues, circumstances, and priorities in their locality.
  • Build rural community resilience.
  • Develop innovative and replicable projects.
  • Enable leadership and community planning.
  • Improve the economic or social resilience of a rural community.
  • Reduce isolation for people living in rural areas through improving service provision.
  • Create a self-sufficient rural community fit for the future.

There is particular interest in ‘fledgeling’ ideas and projects.

There are a number of funding restrictions, including purchase of food, working capital, youth clubs or projects where there may be other more appropriate funders, such as those dealing with domestic violence, dementia or elderly care, and migration.

Groups are encouraged to submit their application before the deadline as the link to the application form will be taken down at midday on the closing date.

The deadline for applications is midday on 20 October 2023.

(This report was the subject of a GRANTfinder Newsflash.)