Prince’s Countryside Fund offers help to flood-hit businesses

HARD-PRESSED businesses impacted by this winter’s severe flooding are being offered help through a new funding initiative.

Farms and other rural businesses have been particularly badly affected by the storms, with water still lying in fields.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund is supporting various organisations and charities that are helping our rural communities.  The fund is looking to invest up to £750,000 in worthwhile rural initiatives. The Prince’s Countryside Fund has given more than £3.8m in grants to hard-pressed rural communities, directly benefiting more than 64,000 people since 2010.

Grant applications close on April 24.

Dawn Howard, director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund, said: “The countryside has faced some real hardships in recent years and the grants are available to redress the balance and get rural businesses, farmers and communities back on their feet and flourishing.

“This year, we have additional funds to help regions affected by the recent and severe flooding. We are actively seeking applications from organisations that are supporting victims of flooding or working on projects focused on recovery and resilience in rural areas.

“One of the most devastating consequences of flooding is the length of time it takes to recover and we’re looking to help farms and businesses cope with the long term consequences.”

The fund is looking to support projects that will have a lasting positive impact on rural communities.  

Applications that address the following issues will be considered:
• Improving service provision in rural areas
• Supporting rural enterprise
• Supporting farming businesses
• Providing training opportunities for young people
 
Applications related to recovery and resilience as a result of flooding will also need to address these issues.
 
More information is available through the fund’s website – http://www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/.