47 million kroner announced for Bulyst rural development projects in 2011

"It is important to the Government to support the strong initiatives and enthusiasm around the country about local development. I am happy to be able to allocate 47 million kroner to measures that aim to promote rural living and create attractive local communities", says Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Liv Signe Navarsete.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has received the report that evaluated the national focus on development measures for small communities  The report shows that such national measures work. They encourage enthusiasm and participation, and strengthen the motivation for the development of local communities.

New funding is now being announced for local and regional regeneration projects that aim to promote rural living. Based on the positive response that the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development received on last year's rural development measures and on the report from the national measures for small communities, in 2011 the Government has allocated 47 million kroner to the project. This is an increase of 15 million kroner from 2010. The funds will be awarded to regional and local development projects nation-wide.

"Both the focus on small communities and on measures that promote rural living highlight the great diversity that exists among active and enthusiastic people in Norway who love their local communities. I am therefore very happy to be able to facilitate so much positive activity in Norwegian towns and villages", says Navarsete.

Many exciting projects have already begun since the 2010 allocation of funds. "Seljord and the sagas" and "Enjoyment of nature in Rauma" (”Naturgledekommunen Rauma”) are two examples of future-oriented projects that highlight the cultural diversity that is an important building block in creating attractive local communities. "I am looking forward to seeing the proposals for this round of funding", says the Minister.

"In this announcement we are focused on projects that facilitate the integration of immigrants in rural areas. We see that much of the Norwegian population growth comes from immigration. It is important that everyone feels welcome and are well integrated in the local communities where they arrive. We need more workers and talented people in the years ahead, and for many rural communities newcomers can be positive additions", Minister Navarsete concludes.

The www.distriktssenteret.no web pages provide details about the projects that were funded last year.

For more information about the 2011 funding, see www.regjeringen.no/bolyst.

For more information, contact the press centre at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development on: 22 24 25 00.