Four projects tackling local rural issues across Devon and Somerset are set to receive more than £120,000 from The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

The Exmoor Hill Farming Network run by North Devon+, Cheriton Fitzpaine Community Shop in Devon, Farmborough Community Shop and Roadwater Village Community Shop in Somerset have all been awarded grants in the most recent round of funding from The Prince’s Countryside Fund.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund awards grants twice a year to local, grassroots organisations to help ensure a vibrant rural economy with a thriving and resilient farming sector.

Announcing the grant recipients, Claire Saunders, director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “We are delighted to be able to help these projects that will make a real difference to communities and farming families in the south west. The Prince’s Countryside Fund is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in our great British countryside, and we’re thrilled to be able to help these projects’ progress.”

The Exmoor Hill Farming Network (EHFN) works to improve the viability and sustainability of farming businesses, through knowledge transfer, peer-group support, training and cooperation, to safeguard upland farming, rural employment, and landscape management.

The decline in the provision of services in rural areas is being combated by the fund’s grants to three communities looking to reinstate their village shops – Cheriton Fitzpaine in Devon, and Farmborough and Roadwater in Somerset. These grants have been made possible as part of the Fund’s Rural Four project, supported by Players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The Fund will be open for grant applications from April 30th to June 14th 2018. More details can be found at princescountryside.fund.org.uk/grants.

Additional funding is available outside of this period for community projects aimed at reducing isolation in deprived rural areas through the Rural Four project funded by Players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Contact The Prince’s Countryside Fund Grants Manager, Clare Crookenden, on clare.crookenden@bitc.org.uk for more information.