Rural Regeneration

Wavehill is the leading provider of research and evaluation services relating to rural development and regeneration in Wales. Examples of our ongoing and recent work in this area include:

Evaluation of the Partnerships within the Rural Development Plan -The Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales 2007-2013 is part of a joint Welsh Assembly Government and European Union (EU) strategy.  The measures within the RDP focused on diversifying the local economy, improving quality of life and promoting locally based rural development are delivered via 18 local partnerships. The aim of this evaluation is to establish the effectiveness of those local partnerships by reviewing: (a) the range of models being used at a local level and identifying examples of good practice; (b) assessing the impact and ‘added-value’ of the structures; and (c) assessing the effectiveness of the guidance and training support provided.  

The ongoing evaluation of the Rural Development Plan in Wales 2007-13 - The Rural Development Plan 2007-2013 (the RDP) is the mechanism by which the Welsh Assembly Government is delivering European funded activities which support the countryside and rural communities. Wavehill, in conjunction with the Rural Development Company and EKOS, are currently undertaking the ongoing evaluation of the programme for the Welsh Assembly Government. The work includes to review current data collection procedures for input and output indicators, devise data collection procedures for result indicators and data collection procedures for impact indicators and to provide expert advice on evaluation activity on an ad-hoc basis.

Evaluation of projects funded under Axis 3 and 4 of the RDP - Wavehill have evaluated the impact and delivery of Axis 3 and Axis 4 projects in Gwynedd, Powys, Swansea and Carmarthenshire (separate commissions). Axis 3 helps to develop local infrastructure and human capital in rural areas to improve the conditions for growth and job creation in all sectors and the diversification of economic activities. Axis 4 based on the Leader experience introduces possibilities for innovative governance through locally based bottom-up approaches to rural development.

Evaluation of projects supported by the Supply Chain Efficiency Scheme - Axis 1 of the RDP provides support for improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors. The Supply Chain Efficiency scheme is designed to support businesses, farmers and foresters to find new and alternative markets. The key aim is to provide financial support for collaborative supply chain focussed initiatives and co-operation projects that will develop new products, processes and technologies in the agriculture, food and forestry sectors. Wavehill have been commissioned to evaluate four of the projects supported by the scheme (separate commissions); the Cambrian Mountains Initiative, the Food Centre Wales (Horeb), the Food Technology Centre (Llangefni) and the Horticulture Wales project.

Review of Good Practice from Previous Rural Programmes - Wavehill were commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government, on behalf of the Rural Wales Network, to collect and review documents which contain examples of good practice from previous rural programmes within and outside Wales. The research will underpin the work of the Network in supporting the development of existing and future rural project activity. The ultimate aim for this review is to provide the content for a searchable document library which those developing projects can access.