Rural Development and Regeneration

The development and regeneration of North Dorset’s economy is supported through partnership working and regeneration initiatives.

Leader+ - Chalk & Cheese

Chalk and Cheese is a funding initiative supporting sustainable development in Dorset’s rural heartland. Managed by local people for local people, the programme has a budget of £1.9 million for projects that deliver community-led and innovative responses to rural issues.

Chalk and Cheese is part of the UK LEADER+ programme, funded by the EU and UK Government. A range of public and private sector donors match this funding.

Rural Renaissance

The aim of Rural Renaissance is:

"To help rural communities in the South West respond to and influence economic change, by supporting the development and implementation of 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."

Interreg IIIC

The objective of the Community Initiative INTERREG is to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the Community by promoting cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation and balanced development of the Community territory. It focuses, therefore on improving cohesion - economic, social and territorial - by reducing the negative impact of borders on economic development and territorial integration.