Rural Developement Plan 2007-2013…
The Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 (RDP) is part of a joint Welsh Assembly Government & European Union (EU) strategy to make our country a better place to live and work.
The Plan helps us all to maintain, enjoy and benefit from the unique and beautiful Welsh countryside. At the same time, it tackles specific problems such as low wages which affect many people in rural areas.
Looking after the environment and encouraging sustainable economic development are two of the most important goals in the Plan. But creating more highly skilled jobs and supporting local community projects are high priorities too.
The Plan is the second RDP for Wales and will build on the success of the 2000-2006 Plan. The Plan comes with over £795 million in funding over seven years, including £195 million from the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)
- So we have money to make it work, put ideas into practice and see real change for the better in our rural communities.
The Plan is split into 4 main parts, which we call Axes 1, 2, 3 & 4:
- Axis 1: Making farming, forestry & food processing more competitive;
- Axis 2: Conserving our landscape & environment;
- Axis 3: Improving quality of life and encouraging diversification;
- Axis 4: Implementing the Leader approach, i.e. piloting of new grass-roots led initiatives that help to create a more sustainable society, economy & environment.
Everyone stands to gain
Many people think that rural development applies only to things like farming and forestry. In fact, the Plan applies to everybody in rural areas and to ALL aspects of rural life, not just business and farming. For example, the Plan helps to develop new and existing services and create more training opportunities and jobs.
Crucially, the Plan supports and welcomes ideas from local people who want to take action to make their own community a better place to live. That can involve anything from a community based recycling centre to setting up local child care, crèche and day care facilities.
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