Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) 2007-2013
emda is delivering the socio-economic elements of the Rural Development Programme
for England (RDPE) 2007-2013.
Funded by Defra and the European Union, emda has approximately £60m available for projects in the East Midlands until 2013.
RDPE will mainly target land-based businesses in the East Midlands including
farmers, foresters and horticulturists businesses.
The criteria for projects to be eligible for grant funding includes:
- Adding value to agricultural, horticultural or forestry products – including
the development of new products, processes and technologies
- Improving co-operation and collaboration between businesses to improve efficiency
– including infrastructure and equipment investments
- Promoting diversification in the rural economy.
New ICT Grants for SMEs in High Peak
Grants are now available to help companies improve their business success by
making better use of online and mobile technology. Grants will be available for
initiatives such as:
- investment in technology to allow staff to home, or mobile, work
- development of e-commerce capability
- online booking systems for tourist businesses
The scheme will be managed by Business Link with funding provided by Derby &
Derbyshire Economic Partnership and will be offically launched in May 2008. For
further details contact Business Link on 0845 058 6644.
Broadband Grants for Peak Forest
The village of Peak Forest has suffered in the past from a number of spots with
no broadband access, frustrating both residents who wanted to surf the internet
and local companies who need good broadband access to run a successful business.
Avanti Communications, who were contracted by Derby & Derbyshire Economic
Partnership, have now eradicated the ‘not spot’ problem with DDEP providing funding
for the small receiver boxes necessary to receive the signal, as well as the first
month’s subscription.
