Funding Call For Community Projects To Transform Rural Areas

Community groups, charities and social enterprises looking to make a big difference in rural communities are being urged to share their ideas and make the most of the funding available to take them forward. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Rural Development Programme is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and by the Welsh Government and is designed to deliver activities to support the countryside and rural communities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Anthony Taylor, Chairman of the Local Action Group which governs the scheme for Neath Port Talbot, is hoping that groups will come forward with some creative ideas in order to improve the quality of life and support those in our rural areas. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

He said: “We would like to hear from anyone if they have ideas about making the most of digital opportunities in their area or anyone interested in identifying renewable energy opportunities or energy saving schemes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are also interested in projects that could be based around providing local services – like innovative transport ideas, piloting new tourism initiatives or ideas to enhance the local identity of our rural wards to attract visitors and increase employment.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This is revenue grant funding available for eligible groups and our RDP team is ready and waiting to discuss project ideas with innovative thinkers who want to help change lives for the better for those in our rural communities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We would encourage local leaders and community groups to identify, and submit for consideration, projects ideas that address the needs in their communities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader, Cllr Ali Thomas OBE said: “Rural Development Programme funding gives third sector and community groups working in our rural areas a fantastic opportunity to take forward ideas and projects which will benefit those communities.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We have already seen some very positive work taking place thanks to this funding, including heritage, transport and learning projects for young people and I hope to see many more groups bringing their ideas forward”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

For a list of eligible rural wards and a chat about possible project ideas please call the RDP Team on (01639) 686077 or email rdp@npt.gov.uk. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​