Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)

The new Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) opened for business on the 18th January 2008 and will run to 2013; it replaces the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP). The RDPE is jointly funded by the EU, through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, and the UK Government. The RDPE provides a wide range support for capital projects and training for farmers, growers, foresters, food businesses and rural communities.

Guidance for Farmers, Horticulturalists and Foresters

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IMPORTANT UPDATE  (9th December 2008)

In response to the current economic conditions SEEDA have reconsidered the RDPE criteria and will now handle directly ALL farm diversification projects under RDPE OUTSIDE a Leader area regardless of size (previously only grants over £50K elligible if not in a Leader area).

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Leader

A significant proportion of RDPE funds will be distributed through the LEADER model - a community based bottom-up approach that provides opportunities for local communities to identify their needs and devise appropriate, sustainable, solutions. The LEADER approach involves establishing Local Action Groups, which will receive a budget to support projects to implement their local development strategy.

Leader will support a range of schemes to create wealth in rural areas. For example, to help increase the sale value of local produce; to provide renewable energy which will reduce businesses' running costs and tackle climate change; and to increase profits from tourism. The funds will help develop new enterprises as well as providing major opportunities for businesses and communities to work together to invest in their future.

Brief explanation of the Leader approach

Leader in Hampshire

In anticipation of the launch of the programme, Hampshire County Council held a "LEADER Bid for Hampshire" conference to raise awareness and offer the benefits of LEADER funding to communities across Hampshire. Following the event, three Local Action Groups in Hampshire submitted Expressions of Interest to SEEDA (the managing body for RDPE in the South East) and were invited to submit full proposals to the programme.

The Local Action Groups, consisting of a wide range of sector and industry representatives, have been awarded a total of £6 million of Leader funding to help revitalise and support rural businesses and rural communities in Hampshire.

The Local Action Groups cover: the Loddon & Eversley Heritage area in North Hampshire; The New Forest; the rural parts of Winchester and East Hampshire districts known as Fieldfare.  Farmers, foresters, growers and rural businesses in these areas will be able to apply for a share of the new £6 million Leader funding through grants of up to £50,000 (subject to the completion of contracts between the Local Action Groups and SEEDA).

Local Action Groups

The Loddon & Eversley Local Action Group Chair: Robert Benford Grant awarded: £1.8million Website: www.loddoneversleyleader.org.uk	Map of project area Contact details: Chloe Atkins (interim Programme Co-ordinator) chloe.atkins@hants.gov.uk 01962 846487
The New Forest Local Action Group Chair: Chris Gwyn-Evans Grant awarded: £2.2million Website: www.newforestleader.org.uk	Map of project area Contact details: Sally Igra (Programme Manager) Sally.Igra@NFDC.gov.uk 02380 285368
The Field Fare Local Action group (Winchester & East Hants) Chair: Sir James Scott Grant awarded: £2million Website: www.winchester.gov.uk/leaderfunding	Map of project area Contact details: Kate Crawford (interim Programme Co-ordinator) kcrawford@winchester.gov.uk 01962 848563

The North Wessex Downs and the Three Harbours (the coastal area covering Arun Coastal Plain, Manhood Peninsula, Chichester and Langstone Harbours) Local Action Groups were also successful in securing funding. For details of these and other successful Local Action Groups in the South East see the SEEDA Leader webpages.