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Foreword from Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment:
This is an exciting time for Scotland's rural communities as we launch a major new programme, delivering unprecedented levels of targeted support for rural development.
The Scotland Rural Development Programme for 2007-2013 provides the framework to deliver European and Scottish Government funding promoting social, economic and environmental benefits. It gives us a major opportunity to enhance Scotland's dynamic, rapidly changing rural economy - targeting resources to the areas where they will make the most difference, encouraging positive environmental management, and supporting our rural and remote communities.
This ambitious programme has been specifically designed to serve Scotland's needs - encouraging innovation, building on our strengths and delivering real sustainable improvement in five key areas: business viability and competitiveness, biodiversity and landscape, water quality, climate change and thriving rural communities.
Over the next six years the Scottish Government will be working closely with businesses, land managers, community groups and individual entrepreneurs to build stronger rural communities. All are very much part of our national heritage in which we have to invest for the future. What we want is a vital and prosperous rural Scotland supporting jobs and giving prosperity for future generations.
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