Regenerating and Developing Rural Communities 8 th March 2007 John Davies Centre Manager Food Centre Wales Llandysul, Wales www,foodcentrewales.org.uk

Background Food Centre Wales grew out of LEADER – used mainstream ERDF funding Food Centre Wales grew out of LEADER – used mainstream ERDF funding Phase 2 - R & D facility opened in 2001 with 4 Food processing rooms £1.7m from National Assembly For Wales Phase 2 - R & D facility opened in 2001 with 4 Food processing rooms £1.7m from National Assembly For Wales Objective 1 ERDF Research and Development project Nov 2001-June 2008 Objective 1 ERDF Research and Development project Nov 2001-June Incubator Food units opened Oct 2005 ERDF 4 Incubator Food units opened Oct 2005 ERDF

Vision for the Centre Rural regeneration in a declining agricultural economy Rural regeneration in a declining agricultural economy Provide low risk opportunities for innovation and adding value to core agricultural products, enabling farmers to diversify Provide low risk opportunities for innovation and adding value to core agricultural products, enabling farmers to diversify Develop new profitable markets for quality food products Develop new profitable markets for quality food products Knowledge transfer to Agri-food industry Knowledge transfer to Agri-food industry

The infrastructure

The Challenges Poor returns from agricultural products Poor returns from agricultural products Lack of professional services to innovate Lack of professional services to innovate No dedicated facilities to foster entrepreneurial activity No dedicated facilities to foster entrepreneurial activity Develop and grow micro businesses Develop and grow micro businesses Access to profitable markets Access to profitable markets

Incubator Units 4 units 4 units Food grade process areas Food grade process areas

Case studies Cambrian Organics Cambrian Organics Other products Other products Flavoured yoghurts Welsh mustard Buffalo ice cream Mutton bites Dairy ice cream Smoothies Ready meals Cooked meats Soft cheese Hard cheese Flavoured yoghurts Welsh mustard Buffalo ice cream Mutton bites Dairy ice cream Smoothies Ready meals Cooked meats Soft cheese Hard cheese Cooperative group of Lamb and beef organic farmers

Achievements Oct 04 – Dec collaborative projects 172 innovation advice sessions 610 trained persons Oct 04 – Dec collaborative projects 172 innovation advice sessions 610 trained persons Built a recognised development facility from a concept Built a recognised development facility from a concept Assisted Rural communities to diversify Assisted Rural communities to diversify Improved skill base of participants Improved skill base of participants Encouraged product innovation in existing activities Encouraged product innovation in existing activities

Lessons learnt Short term strategies / projects don’t work - long term commitment and funding needed Short term strategies / projects don’t work - long term commitment and funding needed Rural community engagement is vital Rural community engagement is vital Continuity of support and facilities essential Continuity of support and facilities essential Networking, Government / public /private partnerships make things happen Networking, Government / public /private partnerships make things happen LEADER programme kick-started this important strategic project LEADER programme kick-started this important strategic project Project champions required Project champions required Project based – accept risks Project based – accept risks

The Future Widen cooperation spatial and sectoral Widen cooperation spatial and sectoral Improve opportunities for whole region Improve opportunities for whole region Working with other European regions Working with other European regions Develop the existing training programme to widen participation Develop the existing training programme to widen participation Role out the initiatives across the region Role out the initiatives across the region