Active projects
Enterprising North: Rural startup support
Enterprising North is an exciting new programme, designed to support individuals in rural communities of Northumberland and Gateshead who are looking to start their own business, or who are in their first six months of trading.
District Heating System Project (technical feasibility) - Haydon Bridge
The project will investigate the technical and financial feasibility of developing a community-owned district heating system for Haydon Bridge in Northumberland.
The project has been instigated by the Haydon Bridge community.
Understanding County Durham’s Energy Needs
The Rural Design Centre has been working in collaboration with Durham Community Action (DCA) to understand the energy needs and challenges faced by community spaces within County Durham.
Solar-powered Community Buildings in Northumberland
The project will install solar PV panels onto the roofs of community buildings across rural Northumberland (village halls, churches, community-owned sports facilities, etc) and integrate battery storage.
Farming in a Changing Climate: Agriculture in Northumberland
Northumberland County Council and the Rural Design Centre are working to identify and address the non-technical barriers to reducing emissions across agriculture and forestry in Northumberland.
Durham Community Co-Design Project
Co-developing a framework to guide implementation and prioritisation of future investment of UK Shared Prosperity funds in County Durham communities.
Community Research in County Durham
Developing a Community Research Network in rural County Durham. This is as part of UK Research and Innovation's new national Community Research Network programme.
Decarbonising Agriculture in Northumberland
The Rural Design Centre is working in partnership with Northumberland County Council (NCC) to support farmers across the county keen to reduce their emissions from agriculture.
Rural Catalyst
The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) at Newcastle University and Rural Design Centre (RDC) are working in partnership to catalyse rural innovation in the North of Tyne area.