The new RDPE covers the period 2007-2013. More information on the national programme can be found on Defra’s website.
The available measures for funding have been divided between three main headings (or axes). There will also be a fourth, cross cutting (or implementation) axis under which the LEADER approach to bottom up locally led projects will be used to implement measures of the other axes.
The axes are:
- Axis I Improving the competitiveness of the farming and forestry sectors
- Axis II Improving the environment and countryside
- Axis III Rural quality of life and diversification of the rural economy
- Axis IV The LEADER
The Northwest Regional Development Agency will be responsible for Axis I and III and IV. For Axis I and III funding of approximately £72 million for the life of the Programme (2007-2013) will be provided to the North West.
Axis 2 will be delivered by Natural England and the Forestry Commission through their current schemes – Environmental Stewardship and the England Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS)
The North West Regional Implementation Plan (RIP) - is one of eight prepared across England by a range of partners including the RDA, Forestry Commission and Natural England. The RDPE was approved by the European Commission in December 2007 and the NWDA are working to implement the programme. For Cumbria delivery will be via the Leader approach with Lancashire currently developing proposals to do likewise.
For Cheshire and the Merseybelt areas of Greater Manchester and Merseyside projects to deliver RDPE are likely to be commissioned directly by the NWDA in line with the respective sub regiona; RIPs. Further information on sub regional implementation plans can be found on the NWDA website.
To download a copy of the most recent version of the RIP and for more information on the socio-economic elements of the programme including the sub regional plans visit the NWDA RDPE pages.
