Opportunities for land-based businesses in the West Midlands to benefit from the new £53 million funding scheme - Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) - were outlined to 100 delegates from leading rural organisations at a showpiece launch event.
The RDPE scheme, which will run until 2013, is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, and is managed in the region by regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands (AWM). RDPE funding will encourage land-based businesses to diversify into new business areas, improve profitability, save costs, enhance the environment and take advantage of low carbon opportunities, principally through working together in projects that make a lasting difference.
Bids for RDPE funding will be managed by the Rural Development Programme Team at AWM and should support four key areas of activity: food and drink, tourism, environmental technologies and livestock industry development. Eligible businesses include farmers, growers, foresters, primary producers, rural tourism businesses and other small rural business or community organisations.
The launch event, staged at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, highlighted the importance of partnership involvement with RDPE, and AWM will be working closely with The Rural Hubs, Country Landowners Association, National Farmers Union, Government Office West Midlands, Environment Agency, Natural England, Forestry Commission and the West Midlands Rural Affairs Forum to ensure that the progress, opportunities and achievements of the programme are well understood and clearly publicised.
Michael Oakes, Board Member at Advantage West Midlands, said: “Four-fifths of the West Midlands Region is managed by rural and land-based businesses contributing £1billlion to the regional economy so it’s vital that we connect them to the best and most up to date business support and advice that is available.
“We need to understand the demands and challenges faced by land-based businesses and the RDP Team will be working closely with the five rural hubs as well as Business Link and other local delivery partners to build up successful projects.
“As well as enabling our rural businesses to grow and diversify the RDPE also aims to safeguard and enhance our countryside, and help communities to thrive.”
Advantage West Midlands will be delivering the programme in partnership with Natural England and the Forestry Commission, building on existing excellent partnership working between the Agencies.
Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Rural Affairs said: "I am delighted that Advantage West Midlands has launched its £53 million fund to invest in making the West Midlands an even better place for rural people to live and work in, and where rural businesses can prosper and grow.
“This is part of a record investment of £3.9 billion by the Government in rural development in England between now and 2013. It will help our farming, food and forestry industries to thrive and become more competitive, and enhance opportunity for rural businesses and communities."
Ciaran Gannon, Natural England's Regional Director, said: "RDPE is a massive programme that needs strong regional partnerships to get the most out of available funds.
“We are working closely with Advantage West Midlands and others to ensure that, wherever we can, we will target our Environmental Stewardship agreements to improve the natural environment of our region in ways that will also strengthen the rural economy and support communities involved with land management."
Bill Heslegrave, Regional Director at the Forestry Commission, said: “We welcome the start of the RDPE in the West Midlands. The Woodland Grant scheme and Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme this should provide many opportunities for farmers and landowners to effectively manage natural resources and enhance the natural environment.
“We are confident that with RDPE support there will be many opportunities for the forestry and woodland sector to develop and improve businesses and supply chains and to integrate and work with other sectors for the benefit of all.”
For more information about whether RDPE could benefit your business and for contacts in the rural development team go to http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/working-with-us/rural-development-programme-for-england.aspx