Rural Renaissance

Rural Renaissance is a South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) funding initiative which sub-regional partnerships can bid into. It forms part of the Agency's wider programme to implement a strategic and co-ordinated approach to rural development. The Rural Renaissance initiative will be delivered through local delivery partnerships and in this area it will be Gloucestershire First.

The main aim of the initiative is:

Fields : Fields

'To help rural communities in the South West develop and implement sustainable projects that use innovation and enterprise to:

  • Create prosperity and generate employment
  • Improve delivery and access to services and
  • Realise the value of the environment as an economic asset

In June 2004 Gloucestershire was informed that its rural renaissance bid had been successful and was awarded £3 million from SWRDA. This funding will be spent on projects developed with local partners that benefit rural areas between 2004 and March 2008.

Tewkesbury Borough is currently involved in the following Rural Renaissance projects:

Agricultural Forum - A project developed to establish surgery based agricultural forums in each local authority area in the county with the main aim of providing increased levels of knowledge and awareness to broaden the outlook for the agricultural sector in Gloucestershire. The project was developed by Tewkesbury Borough Council in partnership with the other 3 local authorities, the AONB and Business Link Gloucestershire.

Tewkesbury Festival of Food & Drink - Funding was secured to establish a festival of food and drink in Tewkesbury with the main aims of promoting local produce, developing the local economy, raising the profile of Tewkesbury as a traditional market town, improving the links between producers and buyers, raising awareness of healthy eating & traceability and providing increased benefits to the environment. For further information on this project please click on the item in the related articles box on the right hand side of the page.

Retail Business Support Programme - An initiative run in partnership with Stroud District Council, Cotswold District Council and Business Link Gloucestershire. It targets small retail businesses in each of the 3 Local Authority areas offering a unique service to help such businesses develop, improve and grow. For further information on this project please click on the item in the related articles box on the right hand side of the page.

Small Project Investment Fund (SPIF)

As part of Rural Renaissance a Small Project Investment Fund (SPIF) has been set up to enable smaller groups within the community and voluntary sector to benefit from the scheme and develop projects which deliver clear and real economic benefits to the surrounding rural area.

The SPIF will award a one-off investment payment to a successful project of between £5000 (minimum) and £15,000 (Maximum) which may be used to support a project, a pilot scheme or a feasibility study.

The following project is an example of a successful SPIF in Tewkesbury Borough:

Music & Arts Festival - Funding has been secured under the Small Project Investment Fund to establish a new music and arts festival in Tewkesbury. It will have a strong emphasis on community involvement, learning opportunities and town centre regeneration.

If you would like more information on this initiative or would like to download an application form please click on the relevant icons in the related media box on the right hand side of the page. If you would also like to discuss the initiative further or have any potential project ideas please contact:

Julie Wood (Tourism & Economic Development Manager) on 01684 272095 or Katie Power (Economic Development Officer) on 01684 272249