Minister launches RDC 'Making a Difference' Report

24 March 2011

RDC has published a summary report of its work which outlines the significant positive impact which the organisation continues to have in rural areas.

Making a Difference covers the wide range of work in which the RDC is engaged in including the management and delivery of International Fund for Ireland projects in rural, urban and cross borders areas; working with Local Government and Local Action Groups as part of the Rural Network for Northern Ireland; progressing the new Countryside Agri-Rural Partnership (CARP) to meet the needs of farm families as well as being a key participant in European and Big Lottery funded projects and programmes.

The ‘Making a Difference’ publication, which was launched by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle Gildernew who commented, “I realise the importance of partnership to make sure rural areas make their valued contribution to the overall north of Ireland economy. RDC has forged many new partnerships and as a result has added value to the work of my own Department on both the policy and delivery side of the Rural Development Programme”.

RDC Chief Executive Martin McDonald added, “This summary report is a snapshot of the busy, thriving organisation that is RDC and is an illustration of the huge amount of work and contribution that local communities and farm families make to the social, economic, cultural and environmental development of their areas. Local people are at the heart of all our actions, they truly are ‘making a difference’ by delivering real and positive change right across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties”.


Copies of the ‘Making a Difference’ Report are available by emailing info@rdc.org.uk.

Pictured at the launch of the Making a Difference report are (L-R) Minister Gildernew, Kenneth Rankin RDC Board Member, Teresa Canavan RDC Deputy Chief Executive, Martin McDonald RDC Chief Executive.