Scottish Rural Development Programme

The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) from ScottishRuralNetwork on Vimeo.

The Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020 funded economic, environmental and social measures for the benefit of rural Scotland.

It is part of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and is funded by the European Commission and the Scottish Government.

The key purpose of the SRDP is to help achieve sustainable economic growth in Scotland’s rural areas. It’s main priorities are:

  • Enhancing the rural economy
  • Supporting agricultural and forestry businesses
  • Protecting and improving the natural environment
  • Addressing the impact of climate change
  • Supporting rural communities

The SRDP is made up of different schemes that provide grants and support.

Watch our short animation above to find out more about the SRDP.

SRDP schemes

LEADER

LEADER will provide opportunities for individuals, businesses and communities to come together and support rural development and provide long lasting benefits to the local area. This will include support for non agricultural small businesses including farm diversification.

Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (KTIF)

Taking advantage of strong performance in research and development and ensuring that the learning from here and elsewhere can be transferred to on the ground improvement. KTIF will assist in the sharing and implementation of innovative ways of improving working practices along with continuing support for Monitor Farms.

Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS)

Providing essential support to fragile farming businesses in remote and constrained rural areas.

Forestry Grant Scheme

A range of grants for woodland creation, agroforestry, tree health, woodland improvement, processing and marketing and sustainable management of forests.

Agri-Environment Climate Scheme

Targeted support for land managers to undertake management and capital work for environmental purposes.

Beef Efficiency Scheme

To deliver economic and environmental improvements in the beef sector.

New Entrants

  • Start-up grants for new entrant young farmers of up to 40 years old (as set by Europe)
  • Capital funding for new entrants, regardless of age, to improve their business

Crofting Agricultural Grant Scheme

Grants to crofters to take forward improvements on their crofts which will help to sustain their business.

Small Farms Grant Scheme

Targeted support for small farms that face similar issues as crofters regarding sustainability.

Food Processing, Marketing and Cooperation

Support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and drink sector with start-up grants for new enterprises, and business development grants.

Broadband

Support for broadband provision in rural areas.

Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13

In our two-page summary you can get the key findings from the evaluation of the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13.

Download our summary