Scotland Rural Development Programme Eight different delivery mechanisms

1. Communities, funding, the SRDP and Rural DirectIan MathiesonScottish Council forVoluntary Organisations

2. Scotland Rural Development Programme Eight different delivery mechanisms • Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme • Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme • Forestry Commission Challenge Funds • Less Favoured Area Support Scheme • LEADER • Rural Development Contracts • Rural Priorities • Land Managers Options • Skills Development Scheme

3. Scotland Rural Development Programme Eight different delivery mechanisms • Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme • Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme • Forestry Commission Challenge Funds • Less Favoured Area Support Scheme • LEADER • Rural Development Contracts • Rural Priorities • Land Managers Options • Skills Development Scheme Main community options

4. Rural Priorities Covers three broad areas: • Business Viability and Competitiveness • Biodiversity • Rural Communities

5. Rural Priorities Theme Headings • Business Viability and Competitiveness Priorities (1–7) • Biodiversity Priorities (8–12) • Landscape Priorities (13–14) • Built & Cultural Heritage Priorities (15) • Water and Soils Priorities (16–20) • Adaptations to Mitigate Climate Change (21–24) • Public Access Priorities (25) • Diversification of Rural Enterprise Priorities (26 – 30) • Thriving Rural Communities Priorities (31 – 32)

6. Rural Priorities Theme Headings • Business Viability and Competitiveness (1–7) • Biodiversity (8–12) • Landscape (13–14) • Built & Cultural Heritage (15) • Water and Soils (16–20) • Adaptations to Mitigate Climate Change (21–24) • Public Access (25) • Diversification of Rural Enterprise: Tourism (26–30) • Thriving Rural Communities (31 – 32) Main community themes

7. Rural Priorities Priority 15: Built and Cultural Heritage • Focuses on the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment, focus on vernacular rural buildings and sites of historic interest Priority 30: Tourism • Focuses on improvement in the value and duration of tourism visits in rural areas, including maximising opportunities for green tourism.

8. Rural Priorities Priority 25: Public Access • Improved public access provision, through the creation, improvement and promotion of paths and other facilities,* • * bridges, toilets, car parking, dog exercise areas, launch sites with changing areas, informal campsites, etc

9. Rural Priorities Priorities 31-32: Thriving Rural Communities • Focuses on empowering and encouraging rural communities to take a positive role in addressing the issues which affect them. Support for community led initiatives, improvement of skills, knowledge and capacity as well as access to sustainable rural buildings are all highlighted

10. Rural Priorities • Rural communities with a population of less than 3000 • Constitution and bank account • Clear demonstration of community need • Projects need to contribute to strategic outcomes for the area and enhance community development Up to 100% of costs available for some options – but most are currently 50%

11. Rural Priorities – what can be funded? • Community Services and Facilities • Micro-enterprises • Renewable energy • Information and awareness raising • Access management • Skills development • Collaborative Local Development Strategies • Management of archaeological or historical sites • Management and repair of vernacular buildings • Enjoyment of rural landscapes • Land management and woodland management

12. Rural Priorities – types of project • Lots of halls – new builds, extensions, heating, insulation, car parks, visitor and business facilities • Sports facilities – MUGAs*, pavilions, pitches, equipment • Education and interpretation – training, hides, ponds, signs, visitor centres • Access – cycles tracks, footpaths • Local food initiatives – allotments, organic growing • Community buses • Community shops, petrol stations • Renewable energy installations *Multi Use Games Areas

13. Rural Direct • Service to constituted community groups • A partnership service of SCVO and the Crofters Commission • Launched June 2008 by Cabinet Secretary • Helping rural communities to access funding • Particular focus on SRDP Rural Priorities • Helpline, website, road shows, personal contact • Work with Councils for Voluntary Service • Information and assistance to promote approvable applications

14. Rural Direct • Help decide whether to go for LEADER or Rural Priorities • Help to get a Business Reference Number • Help to submit a Statement of Intent and full proposal • Work closely with RPAC Case Officers and LAG Co-ordinators Diagram from: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/SRDP/RuralPriorities/HowItWorks

15. Other funding • Help groups understand the range of other funding opportunities available • Assist in developing and writing the best possible funding applications • Signpost to other sources of help, such as CVS network • Extensive expertise on Rural Funding issues – see Rural Funding pages on the Rural Gateway

16. Get in touch 0845 838 8598 – Rural Direct help line0796 874 3736 – Ian Mathieson (mobile) www.ruraldirect.org.uk info@ruraldirect.org.uk Rural Direct, Fairways House, Fairways Business Park, Inverness IV2 6AA

17. Keep informed • www.ruraldirect.org.uk • www.villagehalls.org.uk • www.scotland.gov.uk/srdp