Scheme will help community thrive (From Worcester News)

Scheme will help community thrive

5:10pm Sunday 14th February 2010 in

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A LOCAL approach to delivering more than £10 million of Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funding will be a huge positive for Worcestershire.

This bold claim was made at the second national RDPE network meeting for Local Action Groups (LAGs).

LAGs, including Rural Worcestershire, were told they have a crucial role to play in ensuring that the money is spent on tackling key issues in villages and towns and maximising opportunities to improve the quality of life and safeguard and create jobs.

Rebecca Frost, programme manager for the RDPE network, said: “Funded by the EU and UK Government, RDPE supports a range of schemes for land-based businesses, such as farmers, growers, foresters and primary processors, rural tourism organisations, rural businesses and community organisations.

“Through small capital grants, strategic investment funding and action plans, the programme will aim to safeguard and enhance the countryside, helping communities to thrive in the process.” LAGs have developed local development strategies that set out their plans and include criteria for the types of projects that can be supported. They encourage local people and organisations to get involved in making decisions that affect their area and communities and empower people to come forward with their project ideas.

The RPDE Network, which is managed by the Commission for Rural Communities, has been created to support the delivery of the programme through sharing ideas, knowledge, experience and practice.

The West Midlands, which will have a major influence in how the funding is spent, has already been awarded about £10.22 million in funding to deliver the programme until 2013.