07 March 2008

Rural groups called upon to improve their communities

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has launched a third call for local groups to design and implement action plans which will grow the rural economy in the Northwest.

Stakeholder groups from across the region are being invited to submit expressions of interest in creating packages which will support businesses, maximise training and skills development and initiate new opportunities in their local rural areas through the ‘Leader’ programme.

A wide range of activities will be eligible for funding through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which is being delivered by the NWDA in the Northwest between 2007 and 2013.

Part of the delivery will be under a ‘Leader’ approach in which community groups lead on local rural regeneration projects.
 
Peter White, Executive Director of Development at the NWDA, said:

“The NWDA is keen to hear from eligible groups in rural areas that want to provide local opportunities to create a sustainable foundation for the region’s rural areas. Early input from groups living and working within these communities is central to creating long-term solutions in rural areas.”

Groups must either be an existing Local Action Group (LAG), which has already delivered activity by the ‘Leader’ approach, or a new public/private partnership with an integrated approach to rural development.

Interested groups can download an Expression of Interest form at www.nwda.co.uk/rdpe. A prospectus is also available from the website which provides further details of the Leader approach and the process for becoming a Local Action Group.

The closing date for applications is April 11th, 2008. Successful groups will be invited to develop a full application.

Notes to editors:

1) Three groups have so far been selected to move onto the second stage and submit full applications for their local areas. These groups were: Solway, Border and Eden in Cumbria, Fells and Dales in Cumbria and Northern Marches – England Development Partnership, a cross border application with Advantage West Midlands regional development agency based in Cheshire.

2) The RDPE is jointly funded by the European Union through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the British Government.

3) In October 2006, England Rural Development Programme project-based schemes – including the Rural Enterprise Scheme, the Processing and Marketing Grant and the Vocational Training Scheme – were transferred to the NWDA. These projects aim to provide new opportunities to protect and improve the countryside, develop sustainable enterprises and help rural communities to thrive.

4) The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) replaces the England Rural Development Programme. 

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For further information please contact Sam Shale, Press Officer, on 01925 400264 or 07717 427872 or sam.shale@nwda.co.uk 

For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259.

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk  

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life