Scottish Government

SRDP Public Meetings

The SRDP is currently with the European Commission for approval and we are continuing to work with the Commission to gain approval with the aim of opening the Programme in early 2008.

The Information provided in this pack may be subject to change depending on any adjustments to the Programme that the European Commission may require as part of the approval process.

Inserts in this Information Pack will be updated as and when necessary. The updated Inserts will be made available through our network of Area Offices, this includes Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland ( FCS) and the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate ( SGRPID).

21 Public Meetings will be held over the period mid December 2007 - mid February 2008, details of these events can be found overleaf.

At the Public Meetings we will be aiming to give you;

• an overview of the Scotland Rural Development Programme ( SRDP) we are aiming to launch early in 2008 - its delivery mechanisms (including Rural Development Contracts and LFASS), how it is to be funded and what is new;
• an understanding of the Rural Development Contracts - Rural Priorities scheme, particularly how you can seek to contribute to achieving priority benefits for the people of Scotland - the application process - from preparation of a Statement of Intent (SoI) to submission of proposals;
• an understanding of the assessment process, particularly the criteria Case Officers and Regional Proposal Assessment Committees ( RPAC) will use when assessing applications to this competitive scheme;
• an opportunity to ask questions about the new Programme.

December 2007.

SRDP Public Meetings