New research from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, funded by the Countryside Agency, indicates that voluntary action is vital in underpinning England's rural communities but they are more reliant on the work of unpaid volunteers than their urban counterparts and need more support to enable them to improve networks and build capacity.

Forum Response: Countryside Agency

Professor Philip Lowe, board member of the Countryside Agency, told ePolitix.com: : "With their local knowledge they are uniquely placed to advise government and other bodies, about the services that rural communities really need and the best ways to provide them. Working with these communities, they help local people to identify their own needs and design the projects to meet them. They are an important source of advice and information, especially on how to get funding, for example from the Countryside Agency's Vital Villages grant scheme or from lottery funding.

"Rural voluntary and community organisations face a variety of unique challenges and often operate in isolated and remote areas. The rural voluntary sector rose magnificently to the challenge of foot and mouth disease last year and demonstrated its flexibility and resourcefulness in offering advice, counselling and practical support to communities and individuals affected. Yet the income of many voluntary groups was hit hard by reduced opportunities for fund-raising.

"It is essential that government, at all levels, and other stakeholder groups take notice of this research and reinforce their commitment to providing the necessary support and funding for the rural voluntary sector."