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Rural DevelopmentProgramme for England(RDPE) in the Northwest

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for stimulating theeconomic growth and regeneration of England’s Northwest. As a business-led organisation,we provide a crucial link between the needs of business and Government policies and wework to create an environment in which businesses in the region can flourish.

• Making farming and forestry more competitive and sustainable*

• Enhancing the environment and countryside

• Enhancing opportunities in rural areas*

• Skills, knowledge transfer and capacity building*

* Activity led by NWDA

Priorities for RDPE in the Northwest

RDPE BULLETIN - AUGUST 2009

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) ispleased to announce that rural businesses, farms andcommunity ventures based in Greater Manchester andCheshire can apply for £3.7 million in grants.

Eligible bodies can submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) tothe NWDA for projects which will boost the rural economy.

The NWDA is releasing thefunding from the RuralDevelopment Programme forEngland (RDPE), a programmerunning from 2007-2013 whichaims to transform the ruraleconomy and is jointly funded byDefra and the European Union,and managed by the NWDA.

Grants are available for projects under four key aims:

1. New ways to add value to farm and forestry products.

2. Co-operating on the research and development of new products and processes.

3. Helping farms to diversify into non-agricultural activities

4. Creating and developing small rural businesses

The range of grant available will be from £5,000 to£100,000 for Cheshire. The maximum grant for GreaterManchester is £20,000.

Organisations and businesses interested in applying areasked to look on the NWDA website atwww.nwda.co.uk/rdpedirect for full details of each project,information on eligibility and how to apply.

Lancashire Local Action GroupsThree Local Action Groups who will be delivering a widerange of activities including advice, training, grants for ruralbusinesses and rural communities have now beenlaunched in Lancashire. These are the Pennine Lancashire,North Lancashire and West Lancashire groups. TheProgrammes provides funding for the following types ofactivities:

• Grants for farming and forestry activities• Grants for rural businesses and community projects• Training and information provision• Farm diversification into non-agricultural activities

Rural Planning Facilitation Service

Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency’s award-winningRural Planning Facilitation Service is to continue foranother three years.

The Service, which is available to farmers looking todiversify and to small rural enterprises throughout all ofrural Cumbria, is run by the Cumbria Rural EnterpriseAgency. It complements the business and environmentaladvice which is available through the agency.

Full details of CREA’s programmes, advice services andactivities can be found at www.crea.co.uk.

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• CUMBRIATwo Local Action Groups are developing projects whichwill support businesses, maximise training and skillsdevelopment and provide opportunities for rural Cumbria.

Which of the 2 Local Action Groups covers your area?

Fells & Dales Local Action Group covers the centralLakes area and the south and east of the countyT: 01768 869533E: [email protected]

Solway, Border & Eden Local Action Group covers thenorthern and north eastern areas of the county, as wellas much of the western coastal plain. Solway, Border andEden LAG temporary contact detailsT: 016973 49212E: [email protected]

• LANCASHIREThere are three Local Action Groups in the Lancashirearea:

Pennine Lancashire Contact: Rick Patterson – T: 01254 300496

North LancashireContact: Sharom McGuinness – T: 01254 300469

West LancashireContact: Karen Kerrigan – T: 01254 300481

Regional Activity

FURTHER BUSINESS SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO FARMS AND MICROENTERPRISES:

• BUSINESS LINK NORTHWEST provides high quality, impartial business information and advice tobusinesses across the region. It is also the gateway to all public and private sector businesssupport. Business Link Northwest can be contacted on 0845 00 66 888 or visit the website atwww.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest

This Bulletin is available on www.nwda.co.uk/rdpe. For further information contact Sheila Moffat on 01768 861321.

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas

For details of other RDPE funding in the North West view the following web-sites:

• Agri-Environment Schemeswww.naturalengland.org.uk/regions/northwest

• English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) contact:www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland-grants

THE LIVESTOCK PROGRAMMELivestock farmers can apply for support to improve productivity and farm competiveness. The followingorganisations have been appointed to deliver support work across three main headings:

Further information available at: www.livestocknw.co.uk

Resource Efficency and nutrient management - Enquiries should beaddressed to Sandra Callwood ofPromar on 0870 870 7380 or [email protected]

Animal health and Welfareplanning - Enquiries to IanCairns, SAC Consulting on 0845604 0535 or [email protected]

Monitor Farms and a dedicated NWLivestock ICT network - contact KathLowe at Myerscough college on 01995642255 or [email protected]

• MERSEYSIDESupport is available through a Local Action Group, Mersey RuralLeader, under 6 project themes:• adding value cooperatively,• equine business groups,• sustainable biomass, • carbon audits /recycling, • rural retail,• tourism networksContact the Merseyside LAG on 0151 [email protected]

• CHESHIREGrant funding is available for adding value, farm diversification,micro-enterprises, cooperative ventures and tourism networks.

Please see the RDPE website: www.nwda.co.uk/rdpedirect for moreinformation. Also for help in the parts of southern Cheshire -Contact: Northern Marches Local Action group.T: 01244 402229 or 07734 132405E: [email protected]

• GREATER MANCHESTERGrant funding is available for adding value, farm diversification, andmicro-enterprises.

Please see the RDPE website: www.nwda.co.uk/rdpedirect for moreinformation.

For help in the east of the area, Oldham and Rochdale - Contact: The South Pennine Local Action Group via Pennine Prospects.T: 01274 431019 E: [email protected]

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