1997 - ongoing
Development and launch of InfoRurale, a free Internet Gateway to internet-based resources for rural development.
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ruralnet|uk’s aim is to help rural communities to strengthen their local economies. It does this through research, information transfer, and putting project ideas into practice at local level. InfoRurale, launched in January 1997, is one of its initiatives designed to transfer information to those who need it.

InfoRurale is an Internet ‘gateway site’ with links to rural development resources and information on the Internet. It covers rural economy and issues, funding, key rural contacts, rural initiatives, news, events, reference materials, plus a feedback area where users can comment on the site and inform ruralnet|uk of additional resources. Most of the information is related to the UK, but there are also links to key European Community sites, and to other selected sites all around the world.

The aim is to make it easier for anyone with an interest in rural development to find useful information on the Internet, because they will now only have to look in one place. InfoRurale addresses two of the problems which are a barrier to the real success of the World Wide Web - one is that it is hard to find by browsing the precise type of information required, and the other is that the information is not quality controlled. The InfoRurale site provides lists of recommended websites indexed and arranged under different themes, with notes on accessibility and usefulness where necessary.

Since its launch, InfoRurale has been updated on a regular basis, and has grown enormously as new rural development links and information have been added. It now has more than 1,400 links to websites and other entries. These have now been reclassified and the whole site is now a fully searchable database.

A steady demand for the service has now been established. Comments received via InfoRurale’s built-in feedback mechanism have all been positive - users have appreciated having relevant information collected in one place, and many have suggested new links. This enrichment of the service by users themselves is a particularly valuable contribution, and has enabled ruralnet|uk to fill in gaps in the InfoRurale data eg. to add more information on Scotland and Wales.

This initiative is already encouraging wider sharing of information and ideas and will ultimately be a tool in the challenge to find solutions to rural problems. Anyone can use the service - it is free and there is no registration process. Individuals, academics and private companies may well find it useful, but it is hoped that the main beneficiaries will be isolated voluntary and community organisations in rural areas, and those who seek to assist them.

Visit the InfoRurale site at www.inforurale.org.uk