
The Royal Countryside Fund “Supporting Rural Communities” grant programme is now open!
The new, UK-wide grant programme from the RCF is now open for applications and organisations have until the 21st February 2025 to apply for funding to create tangible change in their community. The RCF’s grant programme is focused on supporting projects that help keep young people in the countryside, power-up rural communities, increase environmental sustainability and build emergency resilience in rural areas.
In Wales, 21% of the population live in small villages or hamlets with a population of less than 5,000. Rural depopulation, particularly of younger people, continues to be a major threat to these communities across Wales and the UK.
Projects must be community-led and will need to demonstrate that they actively listen to, and understand, the needs of their community. All applicants for this latest programme must be a properly constituted, community-led organisation based in a rural area with a turnover of less than £500,000. To apply, organisations will need to send a short video and complete a simple ‘Expression of Interest’ form on the RCF website. In these videos applicants should let the RCF know who they are, what they aim to do, why their project is needed and how it will help their community. Applicants should also set out how their project meets the RCF’s funding priorities.