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What is RDPE (Leader)?

RDPE (Leader) is an European-wide initiative launched in 1991 as a way of providing rural communities with the funding to find local solutions to local needs. Since 1991 the European Union (EU) has distributed rural development funding through different programmes, called variously LEADER I, LEADER II and LEADER+ (the latter was available in the New Forest from 2002 - 2008).

The funding for the new programme comes through the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is administered by SEEDA (South East England Development Agency).

The new funding programme is called RDPE (Leader) and in the South East 13 areas, including the New Forest and two other areas in Hampshire, have bid successfully for RDPE (Leader) funding.

Further details on RDPE (Leader) funding, and other useful links, are available at the SEEDA website