The rural West Midlands
The West Midlands has some of the most sparsely populated rural areas in the country. Some 80% of the land in the West Midlands is rural and 35% of the region’s population living there, while 33% are employed in rural areas. Rural workplaces contribute 36% of the region’s GVA.
Evidence underpins policy and delivery within the Agency. The Rural Evidence Base provides access to recent research. It contains a wealth of independent research and tools to support rural policy development. These are relevant to the Agency and partners working in rural renaissance. The Agency will continue to maintain and update the evidence.
The role of Advantage West Midlands in rural renaissance
Advantage West Midlands seeks to achieve sustainable development in the rural West Midlands, by improving access to opportunity and the number and quality of jobs available within sustainable rural communities.
Many of the challenges facing the region's rural areas are the same as those in urban areas. In response regional mainstream delivery, such as, business support delivers across urban and rural areas. Rural programmes have been developed to address specific rural circumstances.
Some of our actions specific to regenerating the rural areas of the West Midlands are:
European partnership working
The Agency is working with European partners through the PURPLE network: A collaboration of 13 regions. Together they are developing a common policy positions and projects concerning agriculture, planning and sustainable development in accessible rural and urban fringe areas.
All financial support offered through Advantage West Midlands is provided in accordance with State Aid rules.