The West of England Partnership has recently announced a new initiative to help rural communities in the area as part of the South West of England Regional Development Agency's Rural Renaissance programme.

The initiative will be managed by the West of England Rural Renaissance Board which includes the following partner organisations: Bath & North East Somerset Council (Accountable Body for the scheme), South Gloucestershire Council, North Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, the Learning and Skills Council, Business West, community Action and a representative of the Business sector.

The South West RDA is investing £1 Million in the scheme which is designed to help rural communities in the West of England influence and respond to the changing pressures facing the rural economy. This investment will help to attract up to a further £1.7 million from a range of public, private and voluntary sector partners. The funding is expected to provide support for a wide variety of projects which will strengthen the rural economy. These could be as diverse as supporting small and medium-sized businesses in developing sectors such as food, tourism and the social economy, the establishment of farm shops, addressing skill gaps in rural communities and providing workspace to support these and other activities.

The 3-year scheme is being delivered through the following themes: Social Enterprise, Rural Tourism, Food Links, Rural Enterprise, Skills & Training, and Workspace. Applications for Expression of interest are currently being accepted with a closing date in mid-October, a further call is likely to be made later in the year. Organisations interested in applying should contact Susan Bowen, Programme Manager on 01225 477278 or susan_bowen@bathnes.gov.uk
or
Rachael Duchnowski, BCP Regeneration Scheme Project Officer on 01225 477 or rachael_duchnowski@bathnes.gov.uk  for further details

Note: The West of England includes the Unitary Authorities of Bath and North East Somerset Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council. The rural areas of the West of England are eligible for funding from this programme.

Applicants outside the West of England in other areas of the South West region, should apply to their local Rural Renaissance programme in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire.