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The Leader+ programme puts a strong emphasis on networking between rural areas and provides funding for this measure under Action 2: “Support for co-operation between rural territories.
This action is intended to encourage and support cooperation between rural territories:
Co-operation includes pooling the know-how and/or human and financial resources dispersed across each of the territories concerned, based on the thematic guidelines defined by the LAGs in their development plans. It cannot consist simply of exchanges of experience and must include the implementation of a joint project, if possible supported by a common structure. Funding has been granted under this action for the joint project and for upstream expenditure on technical assistance for co-operation.
The following projects have received funding through WARR:-
Best Practice in Leader+ (trans-regional co-operation)
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Organisation
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Rother D C/West Oxfordshire CC
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Project Area
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WARR Partnership Area/West Oxfordshire
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WARR Contribution
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£14,000
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This co-operation project developed a standard replicable framework, through which to capture learning from community based rural development projects. The framework was used to create a searchable project database, available on the web, and to put together a tool-kit for successful project development. The website, which can be accessed at www.planmyproject.org.uk, enables funders and project proposers to share best practice in project design, selection and evaluation.
Growing the Food Culture (trans-regional co-operation)
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Organisation
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Action in Rural Sussex/Homestart North Shropshire
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Project Area
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WARR Partnership Area/North Shropshire
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WARR Contribution
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£61,446
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The project has empowered local communities to engage with and effect change in the local food system. An understanding of this and how it relates to the landscape, environment and community stimulated interest in, and demand for local food. Events, such as Workshops, Food Culture Days and Culinary Heritage Celebrations, brought people together, to consider the place in which they live, its food systems, landscapes and issues. The interest and awareness generated engaged local communities in creating parish level Food Action Plans. Residents were involved as consumers, but the project also involved shopkeepers, school cooks, publicans, farmers, village community groups etc. The lessons learnt in both areas have been shared through visits.
Action in Rural Sussex – Sussex House, 212 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2NH
Tel: 01273 473422
Marshlink Line (Trans-regional co-operation)
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Organisation
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East Sussex Rural Transport Partnership
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Project Area
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East Rother and Kent
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WARR Contribution
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£60,669
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The ‘Marshlink’ Ashford to Hastings rail line is an under-utilised asset. A partnership between the community, rail industry, development agencies and local government is making the most of it for the social, economic and environmental benefit of local communities, residents and visitors. Stations have been enhanced, making them more of a focus for the community and and community activities. Engagement with the communities, their input to plans and their participation in activities has been vital to the project’s success. The resulting increase in activity and rail patronage should lead to a virtuous circle of enhanced services and additional facilities.
East Sussex Rural Transport Partnership, Sussex House, 212 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2NH Tel: 01273-407329
TRAIL - Trans-national: Adding value In Local Produce (trans-national co-operation)
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Organisation
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Sussex Enterprise/Laois/Cadwyn Clwyd/Dorset Chalk & Cheese/Musel
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Project Area
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WARR Partnership Area/Laois (N I)/ Luxembourg/Cadwyn Clwyd/Doreset
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WARR Contribution
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£42,579
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At a trans-national level the project provided local producers with an impetus to innovate and improve their products and services; increase profitability through business trade opportunities and partnerships; exchange business know-how and market information; exchange and transfer good practice and methodologies (focused on individual categories of products or services); and share operational tools and systems – e.g. logistics for the setting-up of events, etc.
Sussex Enterprise – Greenacre Court, Station Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9DS; Tel: 01444 259133
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