The Princes Countryside Fund’s Rural Four Grant programme has a specific focus on tackling isolation and improving the health and wellbeing of people living in sparsely populated areas in England, Scotland and Wales by:

o Reinvigorating community networks by assisting with rebuilding community assets.
o Improving the health and well-being of socially isolated people through providing access to improved community assets and a network of support, and
o Creating a lasting legacy of support and community spirit in the areas supported.

There is particular interest in projects that meet the following criteria:

o Communities in sparse areas with a ranking of 40% or lower on their respective Housing Indices of Deprivation.
o Population of under 2,500 residents, and
o Communities with an ageing population and limited number of working age people remaining in or moving to the area.

A wide range of organisations, including registered charities, Community Interest Companies, social enterprises, other not-for-profit organisations and companies limited by guarantee may apply for a grant of up to £25,000. The Princes Countryside Fund awards up to 10 grants annually from this programme.

The Trust produces an excellent annual report that looks at all aspects of its work.

Grants can be used for:

o Salaries.
o Volunteers.
o Staff training costs.
o Rent and utilities bills.
o Internal refurbishment (fittings and fixtures), and
o Purchase of equipment.

Applications may be made at any time and are considered every three months.

Further information, together with an online application form, can be found on the Princes Countryside Fund website. Please note that registration is required before the application form can be accessed.

Contact details for the Fund are:

Sophie Middleton
Grant and Outreach Officer
Prince's Countryside Fund
137 Shepherdess Walk
London
N1 7RQ
Email: sophie.middleton@bitc.org.uk
(The Trust does not advertise a phone number.)

(Source: GRIN)