About us
The South West RDA (Regional Development
Agency) leads the development of a sustainable economy in South
West England, creating the conditions for business and communities
to thrive.
In response to the recession, reductions to
our funding and lessons learned from the
RDA Impact Report we have updated our plans for 2009 to 2011.
The updated plan is called ‘What
Now’ and was produced alongside a review of our budget
carried out in June 2009.
‘What Now’ identifies our priorities for the
next two years under five key areas of work:
- Low Carbon Economy: Enhancing activity to
provide greater emphasis and investment in the drive to a low
carbon resource-efficient economy for the South West.
- Successful Businesses: A more focused approach
to retain and develop a competitive and innovative business base -
encouraging innovation, research and skills.
- Prosperous Places: A more selective approach
to the transformation of key places that most help to improve the
region’s economy.
- Leadership and Advocacy: A more targeted
approach to ensure that we develop an appropriate strategic
leadership and advocacy role.
- Better Service: Better Value: Increasing our
efforts to deliver a more effective and streamlined service, at a
time of reduced public finance
Find out more about the work of the South West RDA since 1999 in
the Transforming
the South West report.
Regional Development Agencies
The South West RDA is a government-funded
public body set up in 1999. There are nine RDAs in England: the
South West RDA, North West Development Agency; Yorkshire Forward;
ONE North East; East Midlands Development Agency; East of England
Development Agency; London Development Agency; South East England
Development Agency; and Advantage West Midlands.
RDAs were set up to help improve the quality
of life and economic prosperity in the English regions. They aim to
achieve this through driving economic development and regeneration,
developing business competitiveness and improving the skills
base.
Find out more about Regional Development
Agencies.