Introduction to RDPE

RDPE is the mechanism for delivering money allocated to England from the EU and Defra via the European Fund for Rural Development from 2007 until 2013.

There is a national budget of £3.9bn, of which approximately £22.5m will be allocated to the agri-environment and other land management schemes in North East England. These schemes will be managed by Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

Around £6.6m each year will be allocated to One North East to deliver the socio-economic elements of the programme in the region. This money will be targeted at making agriculture and forestry more competitive and sustainable, and to enhance opportunity in rural areas.

At least 25% of the socio-economic RDPE funding (around £1.5m per year) will be delivered through the LEADER approach – a great opportunity for community-led development. More information on LEADER .

How Defra define RDPE:

“The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), with Environmental Stewardship at its heart, aims to safeguard and enhance the rural environment, improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and foster competitive and sustainable rural businesses and thriving rural communities.”