Rural Funding in the Cairngorms National Park
Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP)
The £1.6billion Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) for 2007-2013 provides the framework to deliver European and Scottish Government funding promoting social, economic and environmental benefits across rural Scotland.
The key outcomes for SRDP are:
- Improve business viability
- Environmental benefits
- enhanced landscapes and biodiversity
- improved water quality
- tackling climate change
- Thriving rural communities
SRDP presents a significant shift in the delivery of funding support for rural
Scotland, particularly for land managers, with the emphasis now being placed
on a wider range of applications and with the expectation that projects
will provide benefits for the people of Scotland.
The funding schemes and who can apply
The list of potential applicants for SRDP funding is wide ranging across the various different schemes. The CNPA is involved in the following two schemes:
Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities
Applicants to this scheme are being asked to deliver benefits for the people
of Scotland such as habitat improvements or improved outdoor access. Most
projects are likely to be land related so applications are mostly going to
come from land managers and farmers.
However, rural businesses, community groups or other organisations can also apply if they meet the set criteria. SRDP encourages land managers and others to come together to deliver benefits on a landscape scale.
Individuals, businesses and formally constituted groups are invited to put forward proposals on how they would contribute to the Rural Priorities set out for that region. There are three regions in the Cairngorms National Park – Highland, Grampian and Tayside.
The Cairngorms Local Action Group - LEADER
Community groups, small business co-operatives, voluntary organisations, land
based businesses and other constituted groups can apply to this fund. Aimed
at promoting economic and community development in rural areas, the Cairngorms
Local Action Group’s aims are:
- revitalising communities
- progressive rural economies
Funding is targeted at community driven enterprises that are innovative in nature, will enhance the local area and aid economic development for local people and visitors.
The LEADER programme in the Cairngorms National Park is managed locally by a partnership of organisations and includes funding from the Park Authority and Scottish Natural Heritage. All funding decisions regarding LEADER are made by the Cairngorms Local Action Group.
The CNPA’s role
SRDP will be crucial in helping to deliver many of the actions contained within the Cairngorms National Park Plan – a document setting out both the short-term and long-term vision for the Park. The CNPA aims to help land managers, rural businesses and communities in the Park make the most of SRDP.
In partnership with others, the CNPA’s role is to promote understanding of the programme and raise awareness of the funding available, encourage and help identify and develop high quality applications for projects that can help meet the aims of the Park and contribute to the Cairngorms National Park Plan.
Finding out more
Before considering submission of an application to either fund, you should find out more about SRDP – such as, what are the Regional Priorities for where you live; how to get a Business Reference Number or what other schemes within SRDP, besides LEADER and Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities, may be open to you. Further information can be found on the following websites:
The Scottish Government website offers detailed information and guidance about SRDP and access to online forms.
The Cairngorms Local Action Group
CNPA funding scheme contacts
Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities
The CNPA’s Heritage and Land Management Group can provide help specifically for land managers. Please contact the Land Management Support Officers for further information:
Gordon McConachie
Zoë Taylor
Telephone: 01479 870512
Email: ruralfunding@cairngorms.co.uk
The Cairngorms Local Action Group - LEADER
The CNPA contact for community organisations and other groups seeking further
information is:
Patricia Methven
Email: patriciamethven@cairngorms.co.uk
Telephone: 01479 870543
Cairngorms National Park Authority
14 The Square
Grantown-on-Spey
Moray PH26 3LE
Ruthven Barracks Photograph (c) David Gowans
Previously Grant Funded Projects
Please click on the links below for archived information on previously grant funded projects in the Cairngorms National Park.
