Rural Development Programme Management Branch is directly responsible for:
- ensuring that programme evaluations are conducted within the time limits detailed in the regulation and that the evaluation conforms to the common monitoring and evaluation framework
- leading and managing the monitoring committee
- completion of the annual report, approval by the monitoring committee and submission to the European Commission
- programme approval and management of programme modifications and amendments
2007 - 2013 NIRDP Ex-post Evaluation
The ex-post evaluation of the 2007-2013 NIRDP is available at the link below:
2015 Annual Progress report
2007-2013 Rural Development Programme - 2015 Annual Report is available at the link below:
You can contact RDP Management Branch at:
Other divisions within DAERA are responsible for the implementation of the programme and ensuring EU controls requirements are met.
2007-2013 NIRDP Monitoring Committee
As required by Articles 77-79 of EU Regulation 1698/2005 the Monitoring Committee (MC) has been established to oversee the implementation of the NIRDP
The NIRDP Monitoring Committee will:
- consider the criteria for selecting operations eligible for financing under each axis (within four months of NIRDP approval)
- consider the action plan for the National Rural Network
- monitor delivery of the programme
- consider and approve the annual progress reports for the programme before submission to the Commission
- consider and approve proposals to amend the NIRDP
- periodically review progress made towards achieving the specific objectives of each of the programme measures
- monitor progress towards achieving the targets set for the programme, particularly at the mid-term point
- propose to the managing authority adjustments to improve the implementation of the programme
- ensure that equality considerations underpin the delivery of the programme and that where the programme contributes to the delivery of Government equality strategies the relevant targets are regularly reviewed
NIRDP Monitoring Committee Sub-groups
The Monitoring Committee has established two sub-groups to consider in more detail the impact of the programme in the following areas:
- Environment (ESG)
- Equality and Good Relations (EGRSG)
Minutes from meetings of the NIRDP Monitoring Committee and the sub-groups can be obtained by contacting RDP Management Branch:
EU implementing regulations for the 2007 - 2013 NIRDP
European Commission Regulations governing how the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme should be implemented.
Mid Term Evaluation of the 2007 - 2013 NIRDP
The Mid-term Evaluation (MTE) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme is a formal mid-point review of the Rural Development Programme. The MTE was undertaken by independent evaluators - Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
MTE Update
A Mid Term Evaluation of the 2007 - 2013 Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme was published during November 2010. In line with a recommendation of this evaluation an update report was commissioned and undertaken by independent evaluators - Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).
The following report was issued in March 2013:
Review of LEADER Methodology in Northern Ireland 2013
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) commissioned RSM McClure Watters in association with The Rural Development Company to undertake a Review of the LEADER Methodology in Northern Ireland.
The Objectives of review were:
- to examine and compare the long term economic and social impact of the LEADER approach since 1994 in Northern Ireland (with a particular focus on the 2000 – 2006 and 2007 – 2013 programmes);
- to examine the value for money of the LEADER approach in NI in comparison to other rural development interventions (i.e. Local Strategic Partnerships, top down approaches, other collective bodies, private sector delivery agents.)
- to identify best practice from other European regions, in particular England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.
- to identify lessons learnt from the 1994 – 1999, 2000-2006 and 2007-2013 models and make recommendations to DARD on possible models for using a LEADER approach in the new rural development programme (with associated costs)
- Review of LEADER Report 2013
This report (and accompanying Appendices) details key findings drawing on an extensive programme of primary and secondary research.
For further information contact DAERA Sustainable Rural Communities Branch on:
- Email: ruralpolicy.branch@daera-ni.gov.uk
- Telephone: 028 9052 0884 or 028 9052 4682