Up to £500,000 of new funding has been made available through one of the country's leading rural charities.

The Prince's Countryside Fund opened its latest round of grant applications for projects that will have a lasting positive effect on rural communities.

The charity has already provided more than £2.1 million, directly benefiting more than 40,000 people since 2010.

Fund director Victoria Harris said: "The aim of our funding is to assist projects that tackle the big issues surrounding the countryside, the decline in rural communities, low farming incomes, jobs and training for young people."

So far more than 113 rural communities have benefited from PCF funding and the charity is looking for applications that address the following:

• Improving service provision in rural areas
• Supporting rural enterprise
• Supporting farming businesses
• Providing training opportunities for young people

"We are impressed by how many applications we receive in each funding round," said Miss Harris.

"This time we are particularly looking for projects that have long term benefits.

"We don't want to give handouts but support organisations that work on the ground everyday and know how to make a difference to rural life."

The fund was set up in July 2010 by Business in the Community.

Initiated by the Prince of Wales, the fund has so far given over £2.1 million in grants distributed to over 60 projects across the country, directly benefiting nearly 40,000 people.

Projects that have been funded range from apprenticeships for hill farmers, training for young people to gain employment in the rural economy and community transport schemes in isolated rural areas.

In addition to its normal application process, the Fund also operates an emergency fund for times of need. All the projects focus on supporting the people who care for our countryside and make it work.

The Prince's Countryside Fund is open for applications until Friday 18 May at 17.00pm.

The public can make a donation online at Virgin Giving at the Post Office or by Text.

Text PCF to 70300 and a £3 donation will be made to The Prince's Countryside Fund. Until the end of April 2013 all donations will be given directly to the Farming Help Charities.