Ryedale District Council has announced rural projects are able to apply for funding, with the council encouraging as many to apply for the financial support.
The Rural Community Grant, launched in June to support the lesser populated areas of the district, is made up of £160,000 worth of funding and is aimed at “parish councils, grassroots community groups, and organisations that are working on rural projects.” This is all aiming to improve the resilience, viability, and sustainability of remote, rural communities.
Examples of how the funding could be used include funding the cost of hiring halls, providing war places for people to visit, covering energy costs or providing hot food and drinks.
Director for People and Resources at Ryedale District Council, Margaret Wallace, said;
“Rural communities offer a wonderful way of life to our citizens in Ryedale, but they also face specific challenges.
“This funding aims to support projects which support our rural priorities such as creating safe places to live, improving the economic or social resilience of a community, or improving IT and broadband connections.
“Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, this funding could also provide a financial backing to projects which aim to protect residents from the increased cost of living – for example community warm hubs.
“I would encourage any parish councils, community groups and organisations with projects to apply for this funding.”
The council is also ensuring that the funding is spread equally to the rural communities, every parish that has a population under 1,500 people has been allocated grant funding of £1,467. Applications can be submitted individually by projects seeking funding up to the £1,4667 allocation, or projects across multiple parishes can submit collaborative bids.
The scheme has a closing date of 21st November 2022 and decisions on the successful applicants are expected in early February 2023.
