RDPE programme approved

The RDPE programme has now been approved – On the 6^th December the Secretary of State announced that the RDPE has been approved by the EU's Rural development Committee. The legal decision formally approving the Programme should be published by the new year, allowing full implementation of the new Programme in January – in SEEDA we now anticipate the programme being open for business between mid and end of January 2008.  In the final negotiations some changes were made to the funding measures and State Aid controls, so we await the final documentation before finalising all the detailed guidance notes for applicants. However, we hope to have this work completed by early January and the SEEDA website will be updated at the same time.

Progress with Leader – In the South East we currently have 17 Leader groups that we expect to submit a full application for RDPE funding in the new year.  SEEDA has just completed a series of five workshops with these Leader groups to help them fully understand the process and prepare their applications. It is too early to predict the final outcome but we do expect to receive bids well in excess of the original budget allocated for Leader activities.

Improving the economic performance of forestry – The RDPE plan for the South East includes a substantial investment for helping the forestry sector. SEEDA has been working with the Forestry Commission (FC) to identify ways in which we can best support the industry using these funds. We are delighted to announce that the FC will be deploying some new and existing staff to promote the scheme and help applicants through the application process.

Support for training under RDPE – SEEDA is working with a number of regional partners to develop a planned and coordinated training programme for farmers, growers and foresters. The details will not be confirmed until late January 2008, but our aim is to make available a comprehensive range of training and technology transfer activities which trainees can access very easily through their local training groups and colleges, and perhaps through other organisations such as Veterinary practices. Individual trainees will not need to apply for grant aid. Further details will follow ASAP.

Expressions of interest now needed from farmers, foresters and horticulturalists  – We would like to receive applications for grant aid early in the new year and we are now encouraging potential applicants to complete the attached expression of interest form and return it to SEEDA ASAP.  Expressions of interest must be submitted before any grant applications are made – this will save you time and money because SEEDA will advise on eligibility and how to proceed to a full application.  Further information on the range of grants that will be available can be found on the SEEDA website. Click the following link to go to the SEEDA website: http://www.seeda.co.uk/Work_in_the_Region/Rural_Issues/Rural_Development_Programme_for_England/

SEEDA are particularly keen to support projects that involve:

Renewable energy

Winter abstraction irrigation reservoirs

Collaborative activities in the areas of adding-value and processing of foods, industrial uses for agricultural products, farm based tourism and other farm diversification activities.