DEVON Communities Together (DCT) has been awarded £50,000 from The Prince’s Countryside Fund to support the next generation of rural entrepreneurs in Devon.

A series of free networking events and one-to-one advice and mentoring activities will be provided to support start-ups with key business skills such as finance and marketing.

As part of the project, DCT is developing an online enterprise hub to support this learning.

The community development charity will also be working with the School for Social Entrepreneurs in Dartington, who will deliver a programme of in-depth training to further support and encourage business development and long-term growth.

DCT CEO Elaine Cook commented: “This is an exciting project for DCT and we are delighted to have secured this generous grant from The Prince’s Countryside Fund which will enable rural businesses and entrepreneurs across Devon to access additional business advice, training and support, and to help assist our farming community with business diversification activity.”

The project manager, Mike Felstead, also commented: “Devon follows the UK trend for small business size, with more than 70 per cent of companies in the county employing less than four people.

“Start-ups typically fall into this size category, so it’s vitally important they are supported and nurtured.

“The project is running until July 2018, so this is a terrific opportunity for rural entrepreneurs to get free, hands-on support for a good time span. This should certainly help them to get through the difficult first stages of launch and initial growth.”

Clare Crookenden, grants manager, The Prince’s Countryside Fund, said: “Providing new businesses and farming families in Devon with local, expert advice will provide a valuable boost to their new enterprises and we hope set them in good stead for a viable and sustainable future contributing to the local economy and generating local jobs for local people.”

The project is underway - if you know someone in the rural community looking for business support, they can get in touch via the new project website: devonhub.org.uk.

Alan Quick