Rural Development Plan - Organic Centre Wales

The 2007-2013 Rural Development Plan

The Rural Development Plan (RDP) is the source of much funding in support of rural Wales. The 2007-2013 RDP is coming to a close, with 2014 a transitional year leading to full implementation of the 2014-2020 RDP from 2015. We will be updating this page as soon as more information is available, including on the consultations planned for early 2014. In the meantime, information on the developing RDP framework can be found at:

European Union level
Welsh Government level

The European Council Regulation on support for Rural Development (from the European Agriculture Fund of Rural Development (EAFRD)) sets the framework for rural development support programmes including agri-environmental and Leader schemes for 2007–2013.

The Wales RDP consists of four key areas for action (Axes):

Axis 1 – Improving the competitiveness of the Agricultural and Forestry Sector
Axis 2 – Improving the Environment and the Countryside
Axis 3 – The Quality of Life in Rural Areas and Diversification of the Rural Economy
Axis 4 – LEADER

The Plan will run from 2007–2013 with a total budget of £795m of which £195m represents the contribution from EU funding sources.

AXIS 1

OCW worked with organic sectoral businesses and has been granted Supply Chain Efficiency funding to support the organic sector in Wales. See the Better Organic Business Links webpage. If you would like to be involved please contact or

AXIS 2

See separate page for information on the Organic Farming Scheme and the Organic Farming Conversion Scheme, which falls under Axis 2 of the RDP.

AXES 3 & 4

Organic Centre Wales has provided an information page on accessing Rural Development Plan funds under Axes 3 and 4.

The 2007-2013 Rural Development Plan

Useful resources