Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) delivery is moving from a regional delivery model to a more nationally consistent approach.

Who is involved?

The RDPE is primarily being delivered by the following organisations:-

The Defra RDPE Delivery Team - the delivery of support for farming and forestry competitiveness, diversification of the rural economy and rural quality of life has transfered from the 8 Regional Development Agencies to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 1 July 2011. The overall responsibility of the community-led Leader approach will also be the responsibility of the Defra RDPE Delivery Team from this date.

To help navigate through some of the changes that have taken place a Question and Answer document and list of the RDPE Delivery Team contact details around the country has been produced to help with enquiries.

Natural England administers the Environmental Stewardship scheme (including Entry Level Stewardship, Organic Entry Level Stewardship, Uplands Entry Level Stewardship and Higher Level Stewardship) and the Energy Crops Scheme;

Forestry Commission is responsible for delivering the English Woodland Grant Scheme (including Woodland Planning, Woodland Assessment, Woodland Improvement, Woodland Regeneration, Woodland Management and Woodland Creation grants) and the Woodfuel Improvement Grant; and

Local Action Groups are assisting the Defra RDPE Delivery Team with the delivery of the socio-economic elements of the Programme at a local level.