2007-2013 Programmes : ERDF Priority 4 - Rural Development
The aim of the Priority is to maximise the contribution of rural areas to achieving Lisbon goals with a view to developing sustainable economic growth.
The benefits of growth need to be available to people in all parts of Scotland. At present, peripheral rural areas do not share equally in the opportunities for growth. GDP and average wage levels in remote and rural parts of Scotland are significantly lower than those in urban areas. Priority 4 of the Programme aims to assist in addressing this disparity.
It is mportant that the Structural Funds complement other sources of EU funding for rural areas to maximise the potential for a coordinated, comprehensive approach to rural development. The Priority will contribute to two broad sets of activity, complementing national and major local strategies. The key themes of support are:
Strengthening Rural Industries and Diversification: By strengthening the competitiveness of traditional, largely primary-based industries, such as food and drink, forestry, textiles and tourism, the Priority will contribute to the wider business and commercial development of key natural resources. Intervention will also focus on diversification strategies in key areas such as eco-friendly energy and software development, supporting emerging industries based on these new technologies and highlighting the importance of fostering associated local supply chains. Eligible activities include:
- Support for sector-wide marketing initiatives to promote diversification in traditional industries in the region, particularly through identification of new market opportunities including niche and exporting strategies
- Support for SMEs and groups of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in developing new sources of supplying and production processes (but not activities listed under ERDF Priorities 1 and 2)
Supporting the Development of Key Shared Services: Deficiencies in shared services are one of the key factors behind the lagging development of many rural areas. In order for rural areas to maximise fully their contributions to the Lisbon Agenda , fundamental weaknesses in the sources of their competitiveness need to be addressed, particularly in their basic service provision. Eligible activites include:
- Support for refurbishment and enhancement of business centre and childcare facilities and training/learning centres
- Small-scale support for ICT investments enabling distance learning and higher and further education outreach in remote communities
- Small-scale business site development (especially those that employ 'green design' principles)
- Development of educational access strategies for rural areas including scoping studies
- Support for initiatives that link enterprises with the training and educational services of higher/further education bodies
- Start-up support for the development and initial implementation of community transport and 'green' transport initiatives
- Piloting of emission-reducing and clean-energy vehicles and transport systems
Delivery
The Managing Authority will commission Dumfries & Galloway Council, as a Strategic Delivery Body , to operate a global grant for the South of Scotland under Priority 4 of the ERDF Pogramme for three years initially. Only projects in the South of Scotland meeting the criteria for Priority 4 will be able to bid into this global grant pot. South of Scotland projects will not have access to the competitive funding available under the rest of Priority 4.
Funding Allocations
The Annual Funding Allocation is approximately £5m
The Total Funding Allocation is approximately £35.26m
The Maximum Grant Intervention Rate is 40%
Spatial targeting
Eligibility is determined on the basis of 'remote rural' and 'accessible rural' areas, defined in the Scottish Executive's six-fold urban-rural classification. Eligible areas for ERDF Priority 4 will be those local authorities with more than 25% of their population in remote or accessible rural areas. The current eligible areas are:
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Argyll & Bute (in LUPS area)
- Dumfries & Galloway
- East Ayrshire
- East Lothian
- Moray (in LUPS area)
- Perth & Kinross
- Scottish Borders
- Stirling
