Rural Communities Support Programme Open for Applications

Funding is available to constituted not-for-profit organisations in the UK for projects which are working to create resilient and sustainable rural communities.

The funding programme 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 long-term 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.

Projects must also be able to demonstrate community demand and support.

Applications will be accepted from properly constituted, community-led organisations with a turnover under £500,000 per year, who can demonstrate how beneficiaries will be drawn from the local rural community.

Applications from groups and organisations with projects in hamlets, villages and small market towns are particularly welcome.

Grants of up to £25,000 over two years are available. All projects must be completed by 30 June 2024.

The deadline for applications is noon on 12 April 2022.