Norfolk Coast & Broads Rural Development Programme

Norfolk Coast and Broads Rural Development Programme

The aim of the Norfolk Coast and Broads Rural Develoment Programme is to use the exceptionally high value enviroment and landscape as a catalyst to business and community develoment growth.  The programme operates under three Objectvies described below:

Objective One:-  Encourage the develoment of existing business and the formation of new ones based on the sustainable use of environmetnal assets to improve comptitiveness.

This objective aims to redress any imbalance between economic activity and environmental protection, with a particular emphasis on realigning economic activity so that it works with the environment and not against it.  Interventions supported under this objective will ensure that businesses are able to maximise the opportunities presented to them to develop their business, while at the same time making a positive impact on the environment at a local or international level.

Objective Two:-  Develop economc activity, which identifies and opens new markets, making best use of appropriate environments.

The majority of agribusinesses are reliant on selling to commodity markets, with little or no value added to the product produced.  By moving agribusinesses away from primary production into adding value ot agricultureal products, their competitiveness can be improved.

This will provide them with increased income, leading to increased protitability and economic sustainabiity.  By focusing on added value and diversification activity, businesses will have improved risk management systems.

Where possible, interventins will be developed between agribusinesses or along supply chains, to foster co-operation across the sector and in the project area.

Objective Three:-  Support partnership interventions, collaboration and the sharing of best practice and research in economic, social and environmental spheres.

Across the area, limitations within existing supply chains prevent rural business from entering new markets, getting food and fuel to local and regional markets, and maximising the use of wood fuel as a sustainable energy source.  Where supply chains do exist, there is scope for co-operation between business to form critical mass and reduce overheads, thus increasing profitability.