Why form the Rural Research and Strategy Partnership?

 

The Rural Research and Strategy Partnership (RRSP) has been formed to broker and develop collaborative thinking between South East England’s rural policy makers and the research community. 

The South East needs practical and innovative solutions to its rural issues, and its rural policy makers want to be more confident and knowledgeable about the impact of their initiatives.

Achieving economic, environmental and social sustainability

The South East is densely populated yet over 80% of its land is classified as rural.  Many problems more often associated with urban areas create headaches for rural areas.  The solutions to common issues – staying healthy, affordable housing, waste disposal, enterprise – can look very different in the countryside than in the town.  Managing the interface between rural and urban areas is critical to achieving economic, environmental and social sustainability.

Improving the competitiveness and diversity of its rural economy

The rural South East is undergoing significant changes and is an area identified for action in the Regional Economic Strategy.  South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) recently announced £60 million of funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) is to be invested in the region to improve the competitiveness and diversity of its rural economy.

Stimulating innovative research

The priority topics for the South East’s regional sustainability – such as coping with climate change, sustaining biodiversity, developing renewable energy supplies – need novel, non-linear solutions.  Researchers from different disciplines need to work together to catalyse these new ideas.

Establishing a regional rural research network

Until now, there has been no formal rural research network in the region, despite the South East having the UK’s highest density of tertiary education and research establishments.