Rural Scotland People, Prosperity and Partnership

---

Rural Focus Group Members

The Rural Focus Group

The Rural Focus Group has examined how far each of the Rural Framework themes has been put into practice in the last three years and, in its report5, demonstrates the progress that has been made in improving the quality of life and prospects for rural areas.

Progress since Framework

The Rural Focus View of Progress on the Rural Framework Themes

Action has been taken by a wide range of bodies and while many of the projects mentioned are supported by Rural Focus members, many are run by other organisations. The report arrives at two general conclusions:

good progress has been made in many areas and much of it achieved through partnership, particularly at a local level. This should be built upon, more local partnerships encouraged and experience from existing partnerships made available to others;

Rural Focus itself has demonstrated partnership at national level and through research, seminars and discussion has made a useful contribution to rural policy coordination. A more systematic programme of research, monitoring and evaluation is now needed, which would identify examples of good practice and disseminate this information to all those involved in the development of rural Scotland.