The Role of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)

The RDAs are Government-sponsored public bodies set up by the Government in 1999, with the exception of the London Development Agency, which is a functional body of the Greater London Authority and was established in 2000.They were set up to help improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in the English regions.

There are nine RDAs in England: East Midlands Development Agency; East of England Development Agency; London Development Agency; One North East; Northwest Regional Development Agency; South West of England Development Agency; South East England Development Agency; Advantage West Midlands; and Yorkshire Forward.

They aim to achieve this through driving economic development and regeneration, developing business competitiveness and improving the skills base.

RDAs work with partners in the public, private, voluntary and academic sectors at regional and local levels. They organise and drive the development of initiatives and programmes, including regeneration, investment, skills development and enterprise.
 
RDAs work with the Government but are independent of party affiliation.

For more information about RDAs, visit the Department of Trade and Industry website:

www.englandsrdas.com