Centre for Rural Economy

Current

RuralGrowth

Innovation in rural SMEs should bring positive benefits to the rural economy. Regions in the project are struggling with a lack of employment and business opportunities.

This lack of opportunities is because of:  

Opportunities for boosting the visitor economy in these areas are strongly linked to the outstanding natural and cultural assets offered by the surrounding areas. Such activities would also generate multiplier benefits in associated sectors such as agriculture, processing and service industries, resulting in the creation of new local jobs and infrastructure. 

This project aims to improve policies related to rural SME development through fostering the uptake of innovative solutions in the visitor economy. Using a process of knowledge exchange and stakeholder-led action planning the project will engage in a series of activities which will stimulate SME innovation and efficient capacity development in the private sector.

Contact: Guy Garrod (guy.garrod@ncl.ac.uk), 0191 208 7552

Project website: http://www.interregeurope.eu/ruralgrowth/