EEDA - Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)?
Who is responsible for delivering RDPE?
How much money is available in the region?
What will it be spent on?
How will EEDA deliver RDPE funds?
What is the Leader approach?
What can RDPE fund?
What do I do if I have a project idea?

What is the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE)?

RDPE is a seven year funding programme running from 2007-13 which aims to safeguard and enhance the rural environment, improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and to foster sustainable and thriving rural businesses and rural economies across England.

Who is responsible for delivering RDPE?

Natural England and the Forestry Commission deliver the majority of RDPE funding via agri-environment and forestry schemes. The regional development agencies (RDAs) deliver the socio-economic aspects of RDPE on a regional basis (referred to as Axis 1 & Axis 3 funding). EEDA is responsible for delivery of RDPE funds in the East of England.

How much money is available in the region?

EEDA will be delivering approximately £65 million of RDPE funds over the programme period 2007-13.

What will it be spent on?

EEDA will ensure that all RDPE funded activity contributes strongly to the regional RDPE priorities as set out in the Regional Implementation Plan (RIP). These priorities were agreed as a result of wide consultation across the region.

The priorities are:

business efficiency
new markets and products
new businesses and enterprises
resource protection
conservation of the natural built and historic environment
access and recreation
rural community capacity

These regional priorities are set out in more detail in the RDPE regional prospectus.

How will EEDA deliver RDPE funds?

In order to achieve the maximum benefit from the available RDPE funds, EEDA will prioritise projects which deliver a range of benefits to multiple beneficiaries. Isolated projects with a single beneficiary are therefore unlikely to be supported. Collaborative projects could either involve a formal co-operative or collaborative organisation, or a single business which secures RDPE funds to enable a project to proceed which strongly demonstrates how the successful business will work in close collaboration upstream (with suppliers) and downstream (with customers).

What is the Leader approach?

Just over £21 million will be delivered via a community led approach known as the Leader approach. This approach is where a partnership of business and community interests known as a Local Action Group identifies suitable projects that help to address local needs. An open competition to select Local Action Groups ran between September 2007 and March 2008. The contact details for the successful groups and the area that they cover can be found on the Leader page.

What can RDPE fund?

Depending on the nature of the project, RDPE funds can support the capital costs of new buildings or modifications to existing buildings, equipment new or used), costs of training and skills development, essential start up costs including initial staff costs, marketing etc.

A detailed description of what RDPE can fund and who is eligible to apply can be viewed in the RDPE regional prospectus.