RAPID’s Rural Community Development Support Service is funded by Derry City & Strabane District Council and aims to provide a community development support service to local community groups in the rural wards of the Derry City & Strabane District Council area which will support, enhance and develop the services and roles of those already active in the development of this area. A key provision of this service is assisting groups in the successful completion of funding applications and the delivery of projects, two things which will place community groups in a better position to play a leading role in shaping the development of rural communities and the rural economy.

The provision of this Rural Community Development Support Service will help to achieve the sustainable development of rural community groups through adopting a networking approach. Establishing a successful rural network will provide a more effective and integrated approach to rural development by enabling community groups to share experiences.

RAPID hopes that this networking service will not only improve the effectiveness of local community groups but will also help to ensure that the work carried out at RAPID is a carefully tailored response to issues which are of major relevance to the communities in the rural wards of the Derry City & Strabane District Council area.

RAPID is also the secretariat for Derry City and Strabane District Council local community growth partnership boards in the delivery of the local Strategic Growth Plans (set up under the Local Government Act 2014) within the rural area, which has a strong focus on rural regeneration.

For further information on RAPID’s rural support service contact Jill McCormack Jill@rapidni.com or Michelle Coll michelle@rapidni.com