Summary
The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have published a consultation on the Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland (NI) and look forward to hearing your views. They are interested in your feedback on whether or not the proposed Rural Policy Framework for NI is a relevant and appropriate means of creating a sustainable rural community where people want to live, work and be active. This exercise will inform the Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland and the subsequent interventions and Programme of support stemming from it.
The Framework has provided an opportunity to review the approach to rural policy and what is needed to support rural communities in the context of the following main strategic drivers:
- The impact of COVID-19 on rural communities, in particular the need for flexibility to respond quickly to emerging needs;
- Green Growth including the need for access to nature whilst ensuring sustainability in a post COVID-19 era;
- Opportunities for new ways of working and funding post Priority 6 funding under EU Rural Development Programme;
- The priorities set out in the draft Programme for Government; and
- The New Decade, New Approach Deal.
The review of Rural policy and an analysis of what are the key challenges and opportunities that face rural people and communities is paramount to setting out future funding policy and direction for community and voluntary organisations like yours so it’s really important to feed into this consultation. Through community involvement in rural policy consultation in the past you were definitely able to shape and form programmes and funds which many of you have since availed of.
The Framework aims to create a sustainable rural community where people want to live, work and be active and this will be your chance to influence it’s shape . Any questions you may have in advance of you completing the consultation response via the online survey should be put to the officials through any of the virtual consultation events as listed below.
DAERA would welcome any comments you wish to make on all of the proposals or on those issues that are of particular interest to you in the consultation. If you wish to take part in the consultation, once you have considered the proposals, you should respond online, through the survey which can be accessed here:
Full consultation details are available at: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/rural-policy-framework-northern-ireland-consultation
A copy of the survey is also available for you to download at the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/consultations/daera/20.21.042%20Rural%20Policy%20Framework%20NI%20-%20Response%20Template%20final.PDF
Virtual Consultation Events
Overview of Rural Policy Framework for NI Monday 19 July at 7pm
Thematic Pillar 1: Innovation & Entrepreneurship Tuesday 27 July at 7pm
Thematic Pillar 2: Sustainable Tourism Wednesday 4 August at 7pm
Thematic Pillar 3: Health and Wellbeing Thursday 12 August at 7pm
Thematic Pillar 4: Employment Tuesday 17 August at 7pm
Thematic Pillar 5: Connectivity Wednesday 25 August at 7pm
Recap of Rural Policy Framework for NI Tuesday 31 August at 7pm
The consultation will run for an 8 week period from Wednesday 7 July 2021 and the deadline for responses to this consultation is Monday 6 September 2021.
Please see attached letter from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, advising you of the launch of this Consultation: Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland.
Attachment: Consultee Engagement Letter - Rural Policy Framework for NI.pdf