Nominee Summary
The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative deserves recognition for its impactful educational work connecting young people with food, farming, and rural life. Having provided free education to school pupils and teachers in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City for over 25 years, RNCI has built strong relationships with the rural sector. It remains at the forefront of increasing countryside awareness by connecting farmers & teachers. With a team of five staff, RNCI delivers hands-on learning through farm visits, classroom sessions, its mobile classroom, estate and sustainability days, and agricultural show visits, ensuring meaningful and accessible learning experiences. www.rnci.co.uk
The preservation of skills
The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative has played a key role in preserving vital rural skills by actively introducing young people to traditional and modern farming practices. Through hands-on farm visits, demonstrations, and its mobile classroom, it exposes students to skills such as animal husbandry, crop production, land management, and machinery use. By working directly with farmers and rural professionals, RNCI ensures these skills are not only demonstrated but contextualised within real working environments. Its programmes spark interest in agricultural careers and reinforce the value of countryside knowledge, helping to pass essential rural skills on to future generations. As well as attending careers events with our giant careers banner showing the varied jobs in the sector.
Increasing awareness
The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative has significantly increased awareness of rural skills and education by delivering engaging, hands-on learning experiences both on farms and in schools. Through its outreach programmes, including its mobile classroom and partnerships with farmers, it brings real-life rural knowledge directly to young people and teachers, making the countryside more accessible and relevant. In the 2024–2025 academic year alone, RNCI supported 19,893 children, primarily across the North East of Scotland. By reaching such a large audience, it has raised understanding of agriculture, sustainability, and land-based careers, helping to inspire the next generation and strengthen appreciation of rural skills.
Ethical/environmental standards
The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative demonstrates strong ethical and environmental standards through the way it delivers its educational programmes and engages with rural communities. Its work promotes responsible farming practices, environmental stewardship, and sustainable food production, ensuring that young people understand both the opportunities and responsibilities involved in managing the countryside. RNCI works closely with local farmers, land managers, and rural professionals, ensuring that its teaching reflects real, ethical practices rooted in the local community. By using local farms and suppliers in its programmes, it supports sourcing local food while providing authentic learning experiences, reducing environmental impact and strengthening community ties. In addition, RNCI delivers dedicated sustainability days, teaching children about renewable energy, climate awareness, and regenerative farming practices. It emphasises respect for animals, biodiversity, and natural resources, encouraging critical thinking about sustainability and food provenance. By embedding these principles into its outreach, RNCI helps foster a generation that values ethical decision-making and environmental responsibility.
Noteworthy improvements
The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative has made notable improvements that have strengthened both its capacity and impact. By enhancing its benefactors package, RNCI has secured greater support and engagement from donors, ensuring more sustainable funding for its educational programmes. This has enabled the organisation to expand its reach and invest further in high-quality learning experiences. The addition of three new members of staff has increased its ability to deliver sessions, build relationships with schools, and develop new initiatives. This growth has allowed RNCI to respond more effectively to demand and maintain a high standard of delivery. Furthermore, the organisation has refreshed its strategic plan to better align with its core values and the evolving needs of schools. By listening to educators and adapting accordingly, RNCI ensures its programmes remain relevant, curriculum-linked, and impactful. These combined improvements have strengthened its overall effectiveness, positioning it to continue inspiring and educating even more young people about rural skills and the countryside.
Overcoming Challenges
The Royal Northern Countryside Initiative has successfully overcome a number of challenges while continuing to deliver high-quality educational work. Increasing legislation around livestock movements has created added complexity, particularly for its Countryside Classroom on Wheels. Despite this, RNCI has adapted its operations to remain fully compliant while still providing engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Financial pressures have also been a significant challenge in recent years. However, these have been stabilised through proactive and creative fundraising efforts led by the committee and supporters. Notable initiatives include climbing Ben Nevis, cycling 60 miles along the Speyside Way, and the hugely successful Lambing Bingo event this year. These activities have not only raised essential funds but also increased community engagement and awareness of RNCI’s work. Through resilience, innovation, and strong community support, RNCI has continued to thrive despite these obstacles, ensuring its important educational programmes remain accessible and impactful.
