Rural White Paper Action Plan framework and themes

The Rural White Paper Action Plan (RWPAP) which is being led by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has been developed to provide a framework for the Executive in seeking to address key challenges in rural areas both now and in the future over the next 10 years. Our rural areas face particular challenges as regards growth, jobs, infrastructure provision and access to services and the RWPAP provides an opportunity to look at what we do to support our rural areas and think innovatively as to how best we target our limited resources. Key themes include building a sustainable rural economy, rural/urban linkages, access to services, sustaining rural communities and utilising the countryside for the betterment of the region. The Action Plan is related to these themes and has taken account of cross Departmental discussion and wider stakeholder engagement.