Scotland: National Rural Network
Rural Priorities Assessment Rounds for 2012Dates have been published on the Scottish Government website for the next Rural Priorities Assessment Rounds in 2012. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs announced this week that the Rural Priorities funding scheme will open for business again in 2012. However, he said it was vital the Axis 1 funding was spent carefully as there was less money in the pot because spending was brought forward in 2009 and 2010 in response to the credit crunch. Find out more in Rural Priorities Assessment Rounds dates announced and Rural Priorities will open for business again in 2012
The number of Rural Priorities grants given to organic farm businesses has doubled since last year. In the latest round of funding 86 of the 573 agri-environment projects approved were in the organic sector. The latest Rural Priorities round saw £30.5 million awarded, with £6.4 million going to organic projects. Find out more in Latest Rural Priorities round sees more organic projects approved.
Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities (RDC - RP) is a competitive integrated funding mechanism which will deliver targeted environmental, social and economic benefits. It is part of the £1.6 billion Scotland Rural Development Programme which runs to 2013.
Rural Priorities is £500 million fund administered regionally, by 11 Regional Project Assessment Committees (RPACs) comprising staff from SGRPID, FCS, SNH, SEPA and Local Authorities. It contributes to the delivery of the Scottish Government's strategic objectives through regional priorities, agreed with stakeholders for each of the 11 regions. You can view the priorities for your region by clicking on the map here.
Applications to Rural Priorities must refer to regional priorities and from them 75 options are available covering a wide range of activities from manure/slurry storage to off-wintering of sheep and community services and facilities.
There are a wide range of potential applicants to Rural Priorities and although most are likely to be dependant on land, proposals can come from other sectors of the rural economy, or from rural community groups. Before you are able to apply online, you must obtain a Business Reference Number (BRN) by submitting a completed Land and Business Change form. Community groups can download Rural Direct Briefing 1: Getting a Business Reference Number to help fill in this form.
The scheme is competitive, and has a 2 stage, online only, applications process. The initial stage ends with the submission of a simple Statement of Intent (SOI). Feedback is based on an amber or red rating. In the second stage applicants can decide whether or not to prepare a detailed Proposal, plus an Outcome Plan setting out how they would contribute to one or more regional priorities.
Both stages will be supported by Case Officers who will advise on eligibility, regional priorities, budgetary positions and the need for consents/approvals. They will draw on advice from the relevant public bodies, as required.
Proposals will be accepted throughout the year, with periodic assessment rounds. See How it Works for further information.
The guidance on the Rural Priorities website offers potential applicants comprehensive assistance and information about the application process. The How it Works section provides a diagram showing the process of applying for funding from the initial idea through to the payment of grant. However, before preparing your application you may find it useful to:
Updates are regularly made to the guidance published online for Rural Priorities and can be viewed at What's New.
A full archive of all SRDP news since January 2008 includes SRDP Newsletters, press announcements, timetables and key dates and general updates.
For rural community groups there are potential overlaps between Rural Priorities and LEADER funding. There are also regional variations in both Rural Priorities and LEADER which makes it impossible to make a precise delineation between them. However, a project cannot get funding from more than one SRDP funding stream at a time. You will need to decide which programme best fits your project and should seek guidance from Rural Priority Case Officers, Rural Direct and the LEADER Co-ordinators before submitting an application.
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