Rural Community Gateway

Events will take place on Thursday 31st January 2008 at the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore from 7pm and on Thursday 7th February 2008 at the Glen Lui Hotel in Ballater from 7pm.

The Scottish Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 (SRDP) is a £1.6 billion programme which will offer support for economic, environmental and social projects and work in rural communities.

Eleanor Mackintosh, a CNPA board member, said, "As this is a new programme with a different approach to public funding, we want to help land managers, rural businesses and communities within the National Park make the best of it. We intend to work together with other public bodies and land management organisations to develop a programme of support and encourage people to put in the best possible applications for funding.

"We would encourage land managers and rural businesses and communities to get involved in these sessions – they are designed to help people understand and get the most of the SRDP."

What will the events cover?

The public meetings will look at a number of issues including:

• An overview of SRDP and the Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities
• the regional and National Park Priorities for assessing Rural Development Contracts
• Information about the application process and eligibility
  the new LEADER programme and what it covers
• How to get further help and advice about the programme and applications.

The meetings will be held by the Regional Proposals Assessment Committees (RPACs) and will include an opportunity to ask questions. There will also be a session on how the SRDP will help to deliver the Cairngorms National Park Plan.

For more information on these events contact Fiona Chalmers on 01479 870 524 or email fionachalmers@cairngorms.co.uk. To book a place contact Sam Masson on 01479 870 535/573 or email sammasson@cairngorms.co.uk.

Scottish Government public meetings

These two events run alongside a series of public meetings being held by the Scottish Government. You can find out more about these events in Public meetings for possible SRDP applicants.

Useful links

Scottish Government SRDP website
Download SRDP information pack
Public meetings for possible SRDP applicants
Rural Development funding - key facts for communities
Response round up - SRDP funding announcement
Scottish Rural Development Programme funding plans announced

• Privacy
• Help
• Contact Us
• Disclaimer