What is rural development?
Rural development is about bringing about positive change in the economic, social, environmental, and cultural conditions of rural areas. While recognising the central role of farms and farm families, it aims to bring benefits to all those living in the countryside.
What constitutes a rural area?
For the purposes of the programme, settlements with a population of 4,500 or less are defined as rural. However, the RDP will also support those who are outside the development limits of settlements with a population greater than 4,500. If you live on a farm, the likelihood is that you will be eligible to apply for a grant.
How many people live in rural Northern Ireland?
On the basis of the definition used above, approximately 65%, or 1.1 million, of Northern Ireland’s inhabitants live in rural areas.
How can I check if where I live is eligible?
If you live in one of the larger villages or on the edge of a more substantial settlement, it may not be clear to you whether you qualify. You can check by logging onto
www.ninis.nisra.gov.uk. You will need to know your postcode to access information relating to your area. Through the website you will be able to find information such as the local population.
How will farmers benefit from the Rural Development Programme?
The majority of grant funding available under the RDP falls under Axes 1 and 2 of the programme. Broadly speaking, the first aims to raise the competitiveness of farms, and the second to help farmers’ and land-owners’ improve their environmental stewardship.
Quality-of-life measures under Axis 3 are open to everyone, including farmers and farm families. They include financial support for diversification, business creation and development, tourism, conserving rural heritage, basic services for the rural economy, and village renewal.
What are the farm competitiveness measures?
Axis 1 of the Rural Development Programme includes measures that target farmers and farm families specifically. They include benchmarking, focus farms, help for farm families to consider their options, support to improve training, processing and marketing capacity, and supply chain development. There is grant aid towards modernising farm holdings, including the purchase of new machinery, and the Axis also offers funding for bio-fuel coppicing.
What environmental measures are open to farmers?
Farmers and land-owners will also benefit from measures designed to protect and enhance the environment under Axis 2. Financial support is available to farmers who wish to: encourage biodiversity and farm in a way that enhances the natural landscape; go organic; or plant new forests. The Less Favoured Areas Compensatory Allowance, which provides vital support to upland farmers, is also included. In total, this Axis is worth almost £390 million.
What is the LEADER approach?
The LEADER approach refers to the use of Local Action Groups (LAGs) in the delivery of measures under Axis 3 aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas and diversifying the rural economy. It is an integrated approach that aims to bring together key players in a local area to identify local needs, developing a strategy to meet them and deliver actions in support.
What is a Local Action Group?
A Local Action Group (LAG) is a combination of public and private partners who use local knowledge to enable a ‘bottom-up’ approach to the delivery of RDP funding in their area. They have come together to identify local needs and priorities for development and produce a strategy to support them. LAGs have a key role in delivering the RDP’s quality-of-life measures. That includes selecting and funding projects that best meet the priorities for their area and support the delivery of their strategy.
Is there a Local Action Group in my area?
District, Borough and City councils have come together to form seven council clusters that cover all eligible rural areas. These clusters have facilitated the creation of Local Action Groups (LAGs), which are comprised of representatives from key sectors of the local community. Further details of the council clusters and the areas covered by each can be accessed here.
How can I become involved in my Local Action Group?
The Local Action Groups responsible for delivering the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 have now been appointed. However, from time to time they may need fresh blood to maintain or expand their membership. For further information, we recommend that you get in touch with the LAG appointed in your area.
Who are the Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership?
How is the Rural Development Programme funded?
The Rural Development Programme is funded by the UK Government and the European Union (EU). EU funding is drawn from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and money from voluntary modulation.
Voluntary modulation permits each EU member state to redirect a limited percentage of funding from direct payments to farmers to rural development projects. The amount of money redirected is at the discretion of an individual EU state. The use of voluntary modulation has been limited to the level needed to run a targeted and balanced programme that meets the needs of all rural dwellers.
Where can I go for assistance or guidance in completing my application?
Guidance notes for some of the measures are available in the downloads section of this website. If you cannot find what you are looking for or require further assistance, please contact us. Details can be found in the contacts section of this website.
Can I apply to more than one funding scheme?
Yes. The support and assistance available under each scheme are detailed in the funding section of this website. We recommend that you take time to study the information to determine your eligibility and find out which scheme best meets your needs or fits with your project. If you submit an application under one measure, it will not exclude you from applying under others. However, it is unlikely that the same project will be eligible for funding under two or more measures.
If you are in doubt, please contact us. Details can be found in the contacts section of this website.
What is the Rural Network for Northern Ireland, and who can benefit?
EU rules require each member state to set up a Rural Network to bring together the major players in rural development.
The
Rural Network for Northern Ireland is one of four regional rural networks to be established as part of the UK National Rural Network. Rural Networks will also be established in Scotland, England and Wales to assist in the implementation of their rural development programmes.
The Rural Network for Northern Ireland is designed to help and support the implementation and delivery of the programme. It will do this by:
- Identifying and sharing good practice;
- Working with Local Action Groups to identify their learning and training needs;
- Providing training; and
- Supporting Local Action Groups to promote and assist the development of co-operation projects.
