The Rural Development Programme for England supports our rural areas in a number of ways which recognise the connections between agricultural and economic development, environmental stewardship and community sustainability.

The Programme looks to support farmers and foresters to deliver environmentally beneficial land management practices, which are not always supported by the market. The Programme will also assist the farming and forestry sectors to modernise and adapt to changing circumstances. Funding is also available to develop wider rural businesses and enhance opportunities in communities where deprivation exists.

The RDPE is built around 4 ‘Axes’ or objectives:

• Axis 1 – improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector;
• Axis 2 – improving the environment and the countryside;
• Axis 3 – quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy;

• Axis 4 – The Leader Approach and Leader Maps

Each Axis is broken into measures which set out activities eligible for funding.

The key priorities for the remainder of the current seven year Programme (2007-2013), which is jointly funded by Defra and the EU, are to improve the competitiveness of the agriculture and forestry sectors, provide support for the uplands, rural broadband, skills and tourism and ensure continued growth of Environmental Stewardship.

A Questions and Answers document (PDF) on moving towards the end of the current Programme and what may happen next  is now available.  This will be continually updated.

Who manages the RDPE?

Defra is the ‘Managing Authority’ for the RDPE and is responsible for implementation under EU law. The Programme is jointly funded by the EU through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Government.

A Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) comprising representatives of the delivery bodies, customers and Managing Authority oversees the implementation of the Programme. The PMC meet regularly and meeting notes are available on request by email.

How is the RDPE Delivered?

Each of the four Programme Axes is broken into measures which set out activities eligible for funding. In general, Axes 1, 3 and 4 are delivered by the Defra RDPE Delivery Teams and Axis 2 by Natural England (NE) and the Forestry Commission (FC). In addition, the Rural Payments Agency is the accredited Paying Agency for all RDPE grants. More detailed information on delivery of the RDPE can be found on the RDPE network pages.

Background

Under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as agreed by the EU, all Member States must design a Rural Development Programme to deliver the Rural Development Regulation (RDR) (PDF 35 KB) which sets out the legal framework for the activities that can be funded under the RDPE (and is otherwise known as the Pillar 2 of the CAP).

In addition, further guidance can be obtained from the Implementing Regulation 1974/2006 (PDF 310 KB).

Managing authorities in each Member State produce a programme document, in agreement with the European Commission and this sets out how they will deliver their Rural Development Programme for the duration of the Programme Period.

The Mid Term Evaluation of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) has been published. Two supplementary reports have also been produced in association with the evaluation, on recommendations for the ongoing evaluation of the RDPE  and recommendations for future rural development activity under the RDPE  and you can request copies of these by by email.