Cosmic has successfully bid for a grant from the Prince’s Countryside Fund

A Honiton-based technology company has been selected to deliver training on digital technologies to farmers and rural businesses across the South West.

Cosmic, which is based at the East Devon Business Centre, will be training those most in need of assistance with digital technologies in basic computer skills, getting connected, buying and selling online and online marketing.

The move is part of a £650,000 investment coming from the Prince’s Countryside Fund, which aims to improve rural livelihoods, create thriving rural communities and find the farmers of the future.

Cosmic successfully bid for a grant from the Prince’s fund.

The money will allow the IT and consultancy business to build on work already carried out across the South West to make farming more efficient and bring the advantages of the digital age to the rural world.

Cosmic’s chief executive officer, Julie Hawker, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been successful in our bid to this programme.

“For many years now, Cosmic has championed the case for digital skills to be developed in rural communities and businesses, including remotely based farming businesses.

“Their need to develop skills in IT and digital knowledge is key to the rural economy.

“We look forward to working alongside a range of partners to bring new skills, success and learning.”

Cosmic has worked with the rural farming community across Devon and Somerset for more than 17 years.

During that time, the company has helped them through the barriers of using digital technologies in rural areas.

? The Prince’s Countryside Fund gives grants to projects that help support the people who care for the countryside.

It is supported by a collaboration of businesses working together to secure a sustainable future for British agriculture and the wider rural economy.

The fund provides grants of up to £50,000 to projects that are tackling one of five key issues.

Each grant aims to improve service provision in rural areas, support rural enterprise, support farming businesses, and provide training opportunities for young people, while helping educate people about the value of the countryside.

Since 2010, The Prince’s Countryside Fund has donated £3.87million in grants and supported more than 87 projects across the UK.