Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

Changes to rural development funding for communities have been announced by Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead at the first ever Scottish Rural Gathering in Perth.

The Scottish Government intends to provide funding for up to 90 per cent of the costs of projects in rural communities through the LEADER programme, increasing the intervention rate from 50 per cent, with the aim of providing a boost to the rural economy.

The Rural Gathering was hailed by delegates as a great success and attracted around 300 people from all parts of rural Scotland to network, share best practice and celebrate all that rural Scotland has to offer.
 

 
As well as Richard Lochhead, delegates to the event heard from Ute Vieting who heads up the LEADER programme in Hesselberg, Bavaria, and Professor David Freshwater from the OECD.
 
Workshops at the event included discussions on Village Halls, the Climate Challenge Fund, Food Networks, Agriculture and the Community, Rural Housing and Biodiversity.
 
There were also presentations on Community Empowerment, using the SRDP to make a difference and community engagement with the renewables industry.
 
Speaking at the Gathering, Richard Lochhead said:
 
"A thriving future for rural Scotland is vital to the social and economic fabric of the whole country. Grassroots community development will help deliver sustainable economic growth in every corner of Scotland.
 
"Government funding is available for local projects but in the current economic climate communities have found it difficult to find other sources of funding.
 
"Increasing funding up to 90 per cent will also provide extra help for small rural businesses and rural jobs."
 
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted the publication of Rural Scotland Key Facts 2009 which includes the findings that rural areas have:

• Higher employment, higher wages and lower income deprivation
• Higher life expectancy, fewer emergency admissions and a lower proportion of smokers
• Better school results and more school leavers in work, education or training
• More people who feel very safe at home at night

The Gathering was chaired by Ken Rundle of the Scottish Agricultural College and Richard Wakeford, Director General, Rural Futures.
 
Commenting on the event, Norman MacAskill, Head of Rural Policy with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, said: "The Scottish Government team have done a great job creating the opportunity for people to make new connections across rural Scotland, and providing a very enjoyable and interesting day for everyone who attended.
 
"We'll be working hard to build on the connections and conversations at this hugely successful event through the Rural Network website and a series of regional events across rural Scotland."
 
Watch the Rural Network website for much more information about the Gathering and other networking activity, including copies of all the presentations from the event and details of how you can get involved with the 20 Regional Events that will follow on from it. We'll also have further information and analysis of the changes in rural funding announced by the Cabinet Secretary.