This Programme is based on the EU framework for rural development and on the national rural development strategy formulated in line with that framework. The policy surrounding the New European Agriculture Rural Development Fund embraces both on-farm specific measures and measures to support the development of the wider rural economy. The framework sets three main priorities and these are reflected in the programme:
Improving the competitiveness of the agriculture and forestry sectors;
Improving the environment and the countryside by support for land management; and
Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of economic activity.
The first two priorities are directed primarily at the agricultural and forestry sectors. Their competitiveness and environmental focus reflects the multifunctional nature of the sectors. This theme is also evident in the AgriVision 2015 Action Plan (note 70) for the agri-food sector. That plan is based on the vision of “an industry attaining optimal levels of efficiency, competitiveness and responsiveness to the market while also respecting and enhancing the physical environment”.
The third EU priority – quality of life and diversification – recognises that agriculture and forestry are not the only contributors to rural development. The challenges include the provision of alternative and sustainable employment opportunities for people living in rural areas. Actions centred on the wider rural community such as the development of rural enterprises based on local natural resources, tourism, village enhancement and environmental initiatives will be delivered in a manner that addresses these challenges and complements on-farm measures.
In line with the EU framework, the programme also lays emphasis on local development strategies developed through a bottom up approach. These were previously primarily financed under a separate LEADER Initiative but are now an integral part of the rural development programme.
The BMW Region is predominantly rural with a low population density. One of the key priorities is to contribute to the sustainable development of rural areas and the protection of the rural environment. The quality of life and attractiveness of towns and villages is also important and the urban development and secondary transport networks priority is important in pursuing this agenda. The BMW Regional OP 2007-13 will complement the objectives of the Rural Development Programme by raising the competitiveness, innovation capacity and accessibility of region. Specifically, this OP will support investment in environmental risk prevention interventions in rural areas (off-farm rural water source protection and pilot village sewerage systems), renewable energy technologies, access to growth centres, micro-enterprise start-up and expansion and rural broadband availability.
The following potential areas of risk of overlapping between the ERDF and EAFRD have been assessed by the Managing Authority and it is satisfied that no overlap will arise:
Accessibility – ERDF emphasis will be on public infrastructure, while EAFRD emphasis in Axis 3 will be on community-based services
Risk prevention – ERDF support will support publicly funded and managed (by local authorities) source protection and pilot treatment facilities related to their current remit to protect water intended for human consumption and to prevent risks to public water supplies. The EAFRD-supported rural development programme provides for on-farm privately co-financed pollution control, on-farm environmental protection and community amenity-type investments along waterways.
Renewable energies – ERDF funding under this OP will support energy-efficient transport, public buildings and industrial premises, renewable energy demonstration projects, sustainable energy zones and innovation schemes. EAFRD support for renewable energies will apply to on-farm energy crop deployment and innovative rural community actions to reduce the local carbon footprint
Natural and cultural heritage – ERDF supports will assist the restoration and upgrading of natural and cultural heritage sites in designated urban growth centres. EAFRD funding is targeted at rural areas, including villages.
Broadband – ERDF funding for broadband will focus on the provision of public infrastructure through the further roll-out of the MANS network and the introduction of a National Broadband Scheme. The EAFRD will be limited in scope to support for local actions to benefit from the availability of broadband infrastructure e.g., through access to public e-services etc.
Urban Renewal – Urban renewal measures supported under the ERDF will be limited to gateway and Hub towns only. The village renewal measure under the EAFRD will be excluded from Gateway and Hub towns and will fully respect the definition of rural areas under the Rural Development Programme.
Micro-enterprise - Support for business creation and development under Axis 3 of the EAFRD co-financed National Rural Development Programme will focus on the economic development of natural resources including rural/agri-tourism and adding value to local produce. It is a requirement, as applied under the 2000-2006 programming period, that a sectoral agreement be put in place between the Local Action Group and the relevant County Enterprise Board. (cf. section 5.3.3 of the NRDP)
Note 69 The National Rural Development Programme is currently being prepared by the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs - http://www.pobail.ie
Note 70 Department of Agriculture and Food (2006) Agrivision 2015 Action Plan http://www.daff.gov.ie/publicat/publications2006/AgriVision2015.pdf
