Projects as diverse as a flagship mountain bike trail for the region, through to installing new solar panels for community centres, are benefiting from a share of £3.5 million in funding.
The Rural Asset Multiplier Pilot Programme (RAMP) secured funding through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF), Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), and the programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with the North East Combined Authority (NECA) as the lead authority.
The schemes, which are a combination of large and small, are initially focused in two pilot areas - covering the Northumberland National Park and the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.
The aim of the programme is to improve rural community facilities, health and wellbeing, develop volunteer opportunities and support community resilience.
Among the 14 projects in delivery are plans to improve Hauxley Nature Reserve for volunteers and visitors, the installation of solar panels and batteries onto community buildings across the county, a sustainable travel and transport plan for Holy Island and the creation of a world class accessible mountain bike trail in Kielder Forest.
In the National Park, projects totalling £1.1million are investing in skills and training to develop green careers, improving access at key visitor attractions, developing accessible pedestrian and cycle routes and delivering activities to improve the health and wellbeing of local communities.
Proposals also include improving access at two popular tourist sites, Walltown Country Park and Hareshaw Linn, boosting access to green jobs for young people in the region and promoting and improving understanding and access to the National Park as a key resource for health and wellbeing.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “This is a fantastic scheme bringing another boost to our rural economy.
“The RAMP programme is supporting projects large and small, from improvements to a threshing barn to create an accessible creative arts activity space, through to major developments at the National Park. What they all have in common is a focus on growing the economy, enhancing the environment, and supporting rural communities.
“Projects are delivering locally led and integrated approaches to tackling economic, environmental and community challenges and taking advantage of opportunities throughout rural Northumberland.”
Tony Gates, Chief Executive, Northumberland National Park, said: “This funding is a welcome boost to Northumberland National Park Authority in this, the 75th year of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.
“The UK is currently facing crises of nature, health and climate and National Parks can help to address some of society’s greatest challenges. Our three flagship projects will connect more people with the landscape for their greater well-being, create new career paths to green jobs which will help tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, and enhance the overall experience for people visiting Northumberland National Park with more accessible walking routes through the Miles without Stiles standard.
“We’re delighted to be working with the North East Combined Authority and Northumberland County Council to realise the positive impact Northumberland National Park can have on these critical issues and to demonstrate the impact and contribution to the regeneration of the North East.”
Elsewhere in the county, RAMP projects are also delivering throughout the Northumberland coast including Lesbury Community Hub, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Holy Island of Lindisfarne Community Development Trust, and the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.
Any community organisations or businesses interested in finding out more about the RAMP Programme and future opportunities should contact ruralassetmultiplierpilotprogramme@northumberland.gov.uk