Rural Policy Homepage
Rural Policy Branch was established in March 2006 and became a Division at the end of January 2009. The Division is the Managing Authority for the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 (NIRDP). The Division is also responsible for implementation of key aspects of the DARD Rural Strategy 2007-13, most notably DARD commitments to create a champion for rural issues and areas, to enhance the current rural proofing process and to look at the development of a Rural White Paper for Northern Ireland.
Rural Policy Division (RPD) promotes and develops policies which will help contribute to the Department’s strategic goal of strengthening the social and economic infrastructure of rural areas. RPD is headed by Keith Morrison and is based in Dundonald House, Belfast. In particular RPD is responsible for:
- Leading on the development of the Rural White Paper
- Creating and developing the role of champion for the rural community
- Promoting awareness of the needs of rural communities across government
- Promoting a coordinated approach to rural policy making across government
- Promoting the robust application of rural proofing across government
- Undertaking the role of managing authority for the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013
- Developing an evidence base that clearly identifies the socio-economic and environmental needs of rural communities.
To find out more about RPD’s role as Managing Authority for the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 or about the Rural White Paper, the Rural Champion concept or Rural Proofing, please click on the relevant link below.
