SCOTTISH RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (SRDP)

The Scottish Government has committed to a £1.6 billion programme of economic, environmental and social measures designed to develop rural Scotland from 2007 - 2013.

 Funnding will be awarded via the following measures:

• Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme
• Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme
• Forestry Commission Challenge Funds
• The LEADER initiative
• Less Favoured Area Support Scheme
• Rural Development Contracts
• Skills Development Scheme

SRDP brings together a wide range of formerly separate support schemes including those covering the farming, forestry and primary processing sectors, rural enterprise and business development, diversification and rural tourism. It includes measures to support and encourage rural communities and delivers the LEADER initiative for local innovation in rural areas.