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Argyll leads way in rural Scotland
18/08/2008
The Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is off to a flying start in Argyll with £1.4 million already awarded to community groups.
The awards by the LEADER Local Action Group comes from the £2.7 million allocated by Ministers to the area to support and transform rural communities.
More money is set to follow over the coming weeks and months with extra resources specifically earmarked for the Highlands and Islands.
Environment Minister Michael Russell said:
"I am delighted to note how clearly the Argyll Local Action Group, with the involvement of Argyll and Bute Council, has recognised the importance of agriculture, fishing and forestry to rural Scotland's prosperity.
"Seeing these LEADER projects get underway is great news. I am convinced that, working hand in glove with the local communities they help sustain, land managers can make an enormous contribution to the growth of Scotland's rural economy.
"The Argyll and Bute Agricultural Forum, for example, has developed an action plan to help farmers adapt to recent changes.
"Another successful group, Argyll Food Producers, has had great success in promoting and selling 'Argyll Foods' at music festivals across the UK including T in the Park and the upcoming Hydro Connect.
"Through LEADER, the SRDP is making a vital contribution to ensuring that rural communities throughout Scotland can secure maximum benefit from a healthy and competitive agricultural sector."
The SRDP was launched earlier this year following its approval by the European Commission. It will disburse £1.6 billion over the period to 2013, of which two-thirds comes from the Scottish Budget and one-third from Europe.
In addition, Scottish farmers and crofters receive some £433 million per annum in Single Farm Payments made under the EU Common Agricultural Policy.
LEADER (Liaison Entre Actions de Développement Economique Rurale) is part of the SRDP and aspires to innovative governance and rural capacity building, and aims to see local communities empowered and provided with a closer link to funding. It provides an independent role for local people in the decision-making on local projects which will benefit individual communities. Some six per cent of SRDP monies will be handed over to LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) to spend in line with local rural development strategies.
Sixteen LAGs are already operational in rural Scotland, with bids from four more under consideration. If approved LEADER will cover around 95 per cent of rural Scotland.