SIX partnerships are to receive a share of over £16 million over the next six years to support rural economic development in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

• £600m rural fund opens for business
• £3.9bn funding boost for rural England

Funding will help to improve rural services

The "links between actions of rural development" method of delivering rural development through a local community led approach is seen as one of the best ways of addressing rural needs.

The successful groups are: the South Pennines LEADER Group; Yorkshire Dales LEADER Group; North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER Group; East Peak Innovation Partnership; Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways group; and the Northern Lincolnshire Rural Local Action Group.

The LEADER partnerships, known as Local Action Groups, have produced Local Development Strategies to develop a range of projects that will improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of local communities.

Projects will primarily focus on basic services for rural communities, rural culture and heritage, village development and renewal.

The Local Action Groups are made up of local businesses, farmers, landowners, voluntary and community groups and individuals.

They will play a key role in allocating the funding.

The EU-wide initiative forms part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) fund which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, and managed by Yorkshire Forward in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Groups and organisations within the LEADER areas will be able to apply for grants for initiatives that fit with the themes and priorities identified by each action group.

Andy Tordoff, assistant director of environment at Yorkshire Forward said LEADER reinforced the value of partnership working by bringing together everyone who had an interest in supporting local economic development.

"I am confident that all the LEADER Partnerships will support and develop a range of projects which will help to improve the quality of life and economic prosperity of local communities in the region."

Development agencies for the neighbouring regions of north-west and north-east England are also working closely with some of the partnerships.

             See also:                           
                            • £600m fund opens for business (8 January 2008)
                            • £3.9bn funding boost for rural England (6 December 2007)
                            • Regional policy lacks clarity - MPs (4 July 2007)
                            • £10m funding for rural communities (18 December 2007)
                            • Make voice heard, rural residents told (4 December 2007)
                            • North-west has say on rural proposals (19 November 2007)
                            • £28m for south-west communities (4 October 2007)

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