Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland Consultation
Results updated 25 Mar 2022
The Consultation Outcome Reports (both full and summary version) are available below.
The final Rural Policy Framework documents have also been published. Further information on these documents including next steps is available at the link below.
Files:
- Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland Report on Public Consultation, 4.2 MB (PDF document)
- Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland Summary of Consultation Findings, 864.0 KB (PDF document)
Links:
Overview
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is delighted to present the draft Rural Policy Framework and look forward to hearing your views. This Framework has been developed collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including the public, private, and voluntary and community sector. 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 new Framework aims to create a sustainable rural community where people want to live, work and be active. The Framework focuses on five thematic pillars and associated priorities and will be a living document, flexible enough to respond to emerging rural issues as they happen such as the current global COVID-19 pandemic.
Based on the work to develop this framework it is envisaged that a Rural Business and Community Investment Programme will emerge from the Framework. Of course the wide range of challenges facing rural society are not for DAERA alone to address and we will work with other Government Departments, Statutory Bodies, Councils and the private and community/voluntary sectors to ensure that they continue to focus on addressing the needs of rural dwellers and businesses. We need to see more innovation in our rural businesses and greater use of the steadily improving broadband in rural areas.
It is hoped that the work completed to date resonates with rural communities and we look forward to hearing your views to help ensure that we support a sustainable rural Northern Ireland going forward.
We will host 7 virtual consultation events (see links at bottom of this page) where you can obtain more information on the Framework. Further information on how we will store your data and publication of responses can be found in the consultation documentation attached at the bottom of this page.
Why your views matter
This consultation exercise is an opportunity for you to share your views. We are interested in your feedback on whether or not the proposed Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland 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.
What happens next
The consultation on the Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland closed on 6 September 2021. All consultation responses will be analysed and used, as appropriate, to shape the final recommendations. Following the end of the consultation period DAERA will:
- Collate and analyse consultation responses;
- Publish a response report (all responses may be published in full or in summary form);
- Finalise proposals and the Equality and Human Rights Screening Template; and
- Publish a future programme.
If you have any queries on the progression of the Framework, please email ruralpolicydelivery@daera-ni.gov.uk
Events
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Overview of Draft Rural Policy Framework for NI
From 19 Jul 2021 at 19:00 to 19 Jul 2021 at 20:00To obtain more information on this event and to pre-register please visit the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/rural-policy-framework-northern-ireland-consultation
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Thematic Pillar 1: Innovation & Entrepreneurship
From 27 Jul 2021 at 19:00 to 27 Jul 2021 at 20:00To obtain more information on this event and to pre-register please visit the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/rural-policy-framework-northern-ireland-consultation
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Thematic Pillar 2: Sustainable Tourism
From 4 Aug 2021 at 19:00 to 4 Aug 2021 at 20:00To obtain more information on this event and to pre-register please visit the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/rural-policy-framework-northern-ireland-consultation
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Thematic Pillar 3: Health and Wellbeing
From 12 Aug 2021 at 19:00 to 12 Aug 2021 at 20:00To obtain more information on this event and to pre-register please visit the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/rural-policy-framework-northern-ireland-consultation
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Thematic Pillar 4: Employment
From 17 Aug 2021 at 19:00 to 17 Aug 2021 at 20:00To obtain more information on this event and to pre-register please visit the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/rural-policy-framework-northern-ireland-consultation
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Thematic Pillar 5: Connectivity
From 25 Aug 2021 at 19:00 to 25 Aug 2021 at 20:00To obtain more information on this event and to pre-register please visit the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/rural-policy-framework-northern-ireland-consultation
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Recap of Rural Policy Framework for NI
From 31 Aug 2021 at 19:00 to 31 Aug 2021 at 20:00To obtain more information on this event and to pre-register please visit the following link: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/rural-policy-framework-northern-ireland-consultation
Audiences
- All stakeholders
Interests
- Rural Development Programme
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