Rural Development Programme for England, forms part of the Solutions for Business portfolio of publicly funded business support.
The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is a funding scheme for land based businesses (farmers, growers, foresters, and primary processors), rural tourism organisations and other small rural businesses.
The RPDE aims to safeguard and enhance our countryside, to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of our rural businesses, and help communities to thrive.
The programme which runs until 2013, is funded jointly by the EU through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the UK Government. In the West Midlands, Advantage West Midlands has a budget of £53 million to deliver the social and economic development elements of RDPE.
The RDPE will be delivered through a number of activities including Strategic Investment Grant, Smaller Grant Schemes and LEADER. To read more about these activities, view the sections below.