The Rural Development Programme in England is the framework Defra will use to distribute funds from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Funding from the EU is matched by funding from the Government. The next Rural Development Programme, which will run from 2007 to 2013, is an opportunity to deliver public benefits that society wants by safeguarding and enhancing our rural environment, and fostering thriving rural communities.
Partners in Cumbria have worked together to develop a set of proposals for the delivery of the RDPE in Cumbria. This is an integrated approach in many ways; it has involved staff from a number of organisations. Cumbrian partners have made clear from the outset that they are taking an ambitious and innovative step in proposing to deliver the whole of Axis 1 and 3 using the LEADER method.
After a detailed analysis of all options, taking into account the integrity of the areas, connection with local identity and links to existing initiatives, it was agreed with NWDA to develop 2 Local Action Group areas (LAGs), named: Solway, Border and Eden (population 141,662) and Fells and Dales (population 129,740); although it is acknowledged that the LAGs themselves may wish to change the names to better reflect local identity. LAGs may also wish to discuss the setting up of sub-LAGs to ease communication across what are acknowledged to be large geographical areas.
Further information on the RDPE can be found on Defra's website. (external link)
Development plans for Cumbria & the Local Action Groups will be available on the Regeneration Support website (external link).
As an existing Leader+ LAG the Fells & Dales website (external link) gives a good example of how a Local Action Group should work.