Investing in the Norfolk Coast & Broads

Between now and the end of 2013, £3.8 million is available within the Norfolk Coast & Broads area through the Rural Development Programme for England to invest in agri-business development and diversification, water use and distribution, sustainable rural tourism, local food and rural business development.

What is the Rural Development Programme?

Local Delivery of the Rural Development Programme in the Norfolk Coast and Broads is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) which is funded by the European Union and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). In our region the programme is managed by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). Locally the programme is administered by the Rural Enterprise Hub at Easton College and Norfolk County Council. The funds are administered using the ‘Leader approach’ and are managed by Local Action Groups (LAGs).

The ‘Leader approach’ is a form of partnership working developed by the EU to administer rural development funding. It is built on the principle of ‘bottom up’ governance, in particular the recognition that rural communities understand their own needs and can work together to achieve real and lasting change at the local level. Central to this is the Local Action Group (LAG) a partnership of professionals from the private, public and voluntary sector with an interest in their local area. Locally the LAG has used their knowledge and expertise to put together a Local Development Strategy which identifies local, rural needs. It is through the priorities identified in these strategies that that LAGs will consider projects for funding.