Getting support

The main contact point for any business interested in getting support through RDPE is Business Link's Rural Enterprise Gateway (REG). Business Link's REG offers business support and advice and helps to identify the best way forward for each business based on their particular circumstances. This could include recommending that the business applies for a grant from RDPE.

For further guidance, contact Business Link's REG on 0845 600 9966.

In the Autumn of 2009  the South West RDA commissioned a review of the application process. For further details see the Summary of Issues and Actions.

What’s available?

RDPE covers a range of programmes and activities, aimed at different business sectors and organisations in rural areas.

Basic services in rural areas - available to community and social enterprises and other groups to start or improve sustainable services, including community buildings.

Business support - information and business advice, including advice on grants.

Environmental stewardship - agri-environment grants to encourage farmers and land managers to improve their environmental management practices.

Forestry sector support - a variety of grant programmes for woodland owners under the England Woodland Grant Scheme.

Healthy Livestock - a bidding round to select regional projects that will offer specialist advice and information to livestock farmers.

Local Action - fifteen groups across the South West, each managing their own RDPE budget in line with locally agreed priorities.

Resource management - specialist advice and grants for farmers to improve the way they manage their resources.

Rural community broadband - a bidding round to choose one or two pilot demonstration projects which will deliver high-speed broadband access.

Skills and training - a regional programme to improve the skills of the workforce, delivered through a consortium of training organisations.

Sustainable rural tourism - six strategic, regional projects which aim to maximise benefits for the tourism industry whilst minimising their carbon impact.

Uplands livestock - targeted support to livestock farmers in the regions three uplands areas - Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor.