Sustainability at the core of latest The Prince’s Countryside Fund grants

The UK-wide charity, which works to create a real future for rural Britain, funds projects that make a difference in rural communities across the UK, providing grants of up to £25,000 over two years.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “Our grants help bring ideas and projects to fruition which are developed by those who live and work in rural communities and that really matter to them. The PCF’s funding supports amazing people who drive change and make the most of opportunities to improve rural life by creating stronger, more connected and sustainable places.”

Transition North Ronaldsay in Scotland were awarded £13,650 to run a project which will turn the island’s plastic waste into usable products that will benefit the community. These products will be developed with the community, and can be traded in for remanufacturing, creating an innovative circular economy on the island whilst removing litter from our coastline.

Oliver Gibb, Plastic Warden said: “We’re delighted to receive this fund from The Prince’s Countryside Fund. It’s a big step in our journey to take ownership of the plastic that washes up on our shores and is sent away in bin bags, turning it from plastic waste to a usable product within a developing circular economy.

“This grant will allow us to scale up our production quality, developing new and versatile items such as sheets, bricks and posts. It will also allow us to run fun and interactive workshops with the local and regional community to promote our innovative approach towards remanufacturing and raise awareness of the rapidly growing ‘Precious Plastics’ community.”

Erne East Community Partnership were awarded £12,552 to support their Men’s Shed programme, which supports those who are lonely or at risk of isolation within the community. Paul Dolan, Project Coordinator said: “We are delighted to receive the prestigious PCF award. It will make a tremendous difference to our Men’s Shed and local community in Erne East in not only in sustaining the work of the shed until at least the end of May 2024 but also in enabling the improved health and wellbeing/resilience of participants, their families and carers and our wider rural community through increased engagement and reduced social isolation.

“Not only that, it will continue to help us promote heritage and the green economy through greenwood harvest, regeneration of woodland, recycling and upcycling of old timber into heritage and environment products.”

The PCF would like to thank the funders of their grants programme, People’s Postcode Lottery and Waitrose, and their wider network of supporters who make all their work possible.

You can find out more about our grants, and how to apply here.

If you’d like to help create a real future for rural Britain, you can become a Friend from as little as £3 a month.

Grants were awarded to:

Berwickshire Swap SCIO, Scottish Borders, Scotland, £21,400.00
Erne East Community Partnership Ltd., Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, £12,552.00
Field Nurse, Lancashire, England, £25,000.00
Helmsdale & District Development Trust, Highlands, Scotland, £20,150.00
Kilmory Community Fund, North Ayrshire, Scotland, £25,000.00
Medbourne Village Hall, Leicestershire, England, £10,000.00
MHS Heritage and Culture Ltd, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, £11,250.00
Millbrook Skatepark Project, Cornwall, England, £15,000.00
Rural Coffee Caravan, Suffolk, England, £11,200.00
South Kerrier Alliance Community Interest Company, Cornwall, England, £24,228.00
The Fishers Arms Horncliffe Community Pub Limited, Northumberland, England, £14,486.00
Third Sector Hebrides, Western Isles, Scotland, £25,000.00
Transition North Ronaldsay CIC, Orkney, Scotland, £13,650.00
Zero Carbon Llanidloes, Powys, Wales, £21,084.00