Gildernew improving quality of life in rural areas

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew, MP MLA, today launched the Southern Organisation for Action in Rural areas (SOAR).

SOAR will deliver the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 in the Craigavon, Armagh and Newry and Mourne district council areas.

Almost £17million has been set aside for the group to help improve the quality of life in rural areas by supporting a wide range of activities including, business creation, village renewal and development, and tourism, as well as the upgrading of rural heritage.

Speaking at the launch the Minister said: “The Southern Organisation for Action in Rural areas is one of seven ‘clusters’ created to inject money, employment and resources into rural communities across the north.

“Best results are always achieved when people work together. The establishment of your joint committee, Local Action Group and formulation of a local rural development strategy has involved a lot of hard work. Building blocks are now in place and with funding of almost £17m the real challenges lie ahead in ensuring that good projects are funded to diversify the rural economy and improve the quality of life in rural areas.

“It is for everyone involved in the delivery of the Rural Development Programme to ensure that we keep sight of our common goals and work together to deliver the best result for the rural community as a whole.”

The Minister concluded: “I wish you well in taking forward this new programme and I have no doubt your efforts will reap real benefits for the rural dwellers stretching from Newtownhamilton in Newry and Mourne, Derrynoose in Armagh, to Waringstown in Craigavon.”

Alderman Sydney Anderson, Chairman of the Joint Committee commented: “This funding provides a real opportunitytosupport the economic and social sustainability for all of our rural areas. I would encourage rural dwellers to come forward with ideas and proposals to find out whether they are eligible for support under the programme.

“If you are interested in finding out more about what opportunities are available under the Rural Development Programme, information sessions are being held throughout March in Craigavon, Keady, Markethill, Crossmaglen and Warrenpoint.”

The cluster will shortly invite potential applicants to submit expressions of interest and forms will be available at any of the information sessions.

For further information please email: info@soarni.org or visit the SOAR website.

The Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 is part financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Notes to Editors

1. Information sessions will be held on:
   
   • 9^th March - 10am-1pm:The Old Mill, Keady
   • 10^th March - 5pm-8pm:Craigavon Civic Centre
   • 11^th March - 5pm-8pm:The Courthouse, Markethill
   • 12^th March - 10am-1pmCraigavon Civic Centre
   • 18^th March - 5pm-8pm:Crossmaglen Community Centre
   • 19^th March - 10am-1pm:Warrenpoint Town Hall
     
2. The allocation to the Southern cluster (Craigavon, Armagh, and Newry & Mourne) was £16,731,839. (1st tranche £9,570,714 and end tranche £7,161,125).
   
3. This component of the RDP contains the following measures:
   • Diversification into non-agricultural activities
   • Business creation and development
   • Encouragement of tourism activities
   • Basic services for the economy and rural population
   • Village renewal and development
   • Conservation and upgrading of the rural heritage
     
4. The Minister had asked local councils to come together in clusters to deliver the Axis 3 ‘quality of life’ measures of the new Programme on a sub-regional basis, and seven clusters were formed. Each cluster will work with a new, locally formed Action Group to prepare and implement a local rural development strategy aimed at addressing need in the area.
   
5. The first tranche of allocations were calculated on the basis of equally weighted shares of cluster population, deprivation scale and deprivation extent. The indicative split of the first £50m was announced at June 2008 and confirmed to Joint Council Committees on 12 December 20008.
   
6. This second and final tranche has been calculated on the basis of competitive quality assessment of the local development strategies submitted.  
   
7. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, telephone 028 9052 4619. Out of hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.