A £500,000 boost for community-led organisations in Cumbria and neighbouring Northumberland has been announced.

The funding programme to help 'Power Up' rural communities was announced this week by The Royal Countryside Fund, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund.

The fund, which launched yesterday (Thurs), is seeking applications from organisations across the two counties that have the potential to 'power up', not 'prop up' rural communities.

The initiative - the first county-based programme from The Royal Countryside Fund - aims to revitalise these areas by funding original, innovative projects that address the unique challenges and opportunities they face.

Duncan Nicholson, Regional Head of Funding for North East & Cumbria at The National Lottery Community Fund said: “We are delighted to be funding this terrific initiative in partnership with The Royal Countryside Fund and committing to the environmental sustainability and resilience of communities across these two counties.

“Supporting communities to be environmentally sustainable is one of our key missions at The National Lottery Community Fund, and thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to fund projects across the region to address local climate issues and create an infrastructure for the benefit of current and future generations.”

Half of the funding is available to support rural community-led activities in each county. Individual organisations can apply for up to £30,000 each over a period of 18 months to deliver activities designed to boost economic, environmental or social stability. Applications are encouraged from projects which have the potential to provide financial benefits to the locality, build a stronger sense of community and connectedness and/or increase environmental sustainability.

Figures show that the average wage in rural areas is 7.5 per cent less than the urban equivalent, yet residents must spend up to 20 per cent more on everyday items like fuel and transport, while many living in rural communities also face hidden levels of hardship such as loneliness and isolation.

Previously, the Grizedale Arts and The Farmers Arms received funding to enable an old pub to be turned into a rural hub.