The Prince's Countryside Fund

The Fund supports initiatives that sustain rural communities, provide advice and training, develop farm businesses, encourage local food production, and help communities prepare for natural disasters. Cause areas include community development, education and skills, employment, environment, animals and agriculture. It funds a range of costs such as project delivery, equipment, salaries, core costs and training. The Fund works across the UK, with a particular focus on isolated rural areas. Projects can run for up to three years, allowing for sustained impact on rural viability and resilience.

Registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community interest companies, companies and social enterprises can apply. The Fund prioritises projects that benefit rural communities, young people and farmers. Applicants should have a clear rural focus and be working to improve the prospects of their local area. The Fund does not support individuals or private businesses, and projects must be led by not-for-profit organisations or social enterprises with a community benefit.

The Fund does not support individuals, private businesses or projects that are not rural in focus. It also does not fund activities that fall outside its priority areas of community development, education, employment, environment, animals and agriculture. Projects that do not directly benefit rural communities, young people or farmers are unlikely to be considered. The Fund focuses on locally led solutions, so initiatives that are not rooted in rural areas or that lack a clear connection to sustaining family farms and rural life are excluded.

Grants can support projects for up to three years and cover a wide range of costs including project delivery, equipment, salaries, core costs and training. The Fund welcomes unsolicited applications and encourages organisations to apply with ideas that build rural resilience. Funding is provided as one-off grants for the duration of the project, with no requirement for match funding stated. The Fund values practical, collaborative approaches and supports both new and ongoing work that aligns with its mission.