Concerns have been raised about the future direction of the UK’s rural development networks in research by the Carnegie UK Trust.

The findings of an online survey of network users are highlighting challenges around funding, engagement with users, representation, prominence of the networks and how they work in partnership with other organisations.

Despite the research showing that rural development networks are integral to their communities, members often felt they lacked confidence in their ability to influence national rural policy, and expressed concern that policymakers were failing to make a distinction between rural, agricultural and environmental development – something that could undermine the future direction of networks.

Carnegie UK Trust Chief Executive, Martyn Evans, says networks realise they need to work hard to continue to have their voice heard on behalf of the communities they serve:

“Rural development networks can play a central role in building community capacity. It is clear that many are finding the future challenging and struggling to maintain their momentum against a backdrop of austerity and public spending cuts across the UK and Ireland.

“We are making a series of recommendations to help these networks to achieve their potential and regain the initiative as strong advocates because they each have a vital role in meeting the opportunities to support their members to achieve wider ownership of community assets.”

Scottish Government Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“Knowing who is out there and what support is available is part of the challenge for rural communities. I am very keen that we make it as easy as possible for rural communities across Scotland to access support to take forward community projects and input to rural policy.
 
“Through the Rural Direct Service, we have already identified the need to look at how rural Scotland’s local and network partners can work together more effectively. That’s why we have developed an interactive mapping tool to provider greater clarity on the rural support services available across Scotland, making the support available more transparent - both to the public and other agencies.”

Recommendations

To address the concerns uncovered by the research, the Carnegie UK Trust is calling on governments across the UK to support the networks to reassess their role and opportunities, and for the networks themselves to reassess how they work together and share best practice.

That rural community development networks in each jurisdiction should:

• Meet to explore how they can best represent the voices and interests of their users in policy debates.
• Share experiences of partnership working and consider further how they can work together to increase both the efficiency and effectiveness of their networks. This may include merging networks. 
• That governments within the UK and Government of Ireland should :
• Call together a summit of identified rural networks, to discuss the future of rural development networks and opportunities for partnership working to enable the sector to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
• Carry out a mapping exercise within their jurisdiction to enable joined up working by identifying all potential local and national network partners.  This mapping should be made available to the sector and members of the public to enable them to identify sources of information and advice.
• Create a short life forum for key civil servants from across the nations to debate and discuss issues relating to the sector and share learning and experience from rural development networks across the jurisdictions.

To go to the project page on our website please click here.
To view the Executive Summary please click here.
To view the full report please click here.