Funding

Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) and LEADER

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.

Please click here for the Cairngorms Habitat & Species Priorities list.

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
Telephone: 01479 870574
Email: gordonmcconachie@cairngorms.co.uk

Zoë Taylor
Telephone: 01479 870522
Email: zoetaylor@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 870515

Cairngorms National Park Authority
14 The Square
Grantown-on-Spey
Moray PH26 3LE

Climate Challenge Programme

The Climate Challenge Fund was launched in June 2008 to support community organisations with projects that would help to reduce carbon emissions. You can find out more information on the Fund here.

Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT)

The Trust works closely with land managers, users, the local communities and others in the area to help develop and implement projects, and has established an Affiliate Membership to strengthen its links with the wider public.  You can find out more about how to get involved with the Trust here.

There are a number of funding opportunities available designed specifically to help initiatives or projects which support the Park aims. Find out more below.

Cairngorms Awareness and Pride project

This project offers public benefit courses to all people living and working in the Cairngorms National Park. It aims to give Park residents an awareness of the issues around both the aims of the Park and the priorities set out in the Cairngorms National Park Plan. You can find out more information about funding and courses available on the Cairngorms Awareness and Pride project page.

Land Based Business Training project

The main aim of this partnership project is to improve the performance and competitiveness of land based businesses in the Park, through establishing a more highly trained, flexible and efficient workforce. It also aims, through public benefit training courses, to give land managers the skills to contribute to the delivery of the Park aims. You can find out more information about funding and courses available on the Land Based Business Training project page.