About SW CoRE
South West Chamber of Rural Enterprise (SW CoRE)was established in November 2001, and became a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee in 2005. Providing a ‘rural hub’ for the region, it is a coherent voice for representatives of the sector and works to facilitate profitable and sustainable land-based businesses in the region. Its structure is unique to the South West region.
Members and subscription payers are able, through the twice yearly plenary events, to network with others in the rural sector. The plenaries are held at venues all around the region on topics of current or upcoming relevance and importance to the South West Rural sector. SW CoRE's independence from any outside funding allows for a neutral forum at these events. The board are representatives of large regional rural organisations and business owners and farmers themselves in many cases. Communication with its members and maintenance of vital cross-sectoral links between regional rural organisations and key statutory organisations is SW CoRE's aim and strength.
SW CoRE has also had a broader role in co-ordinating and facilitating collaborative projects. SW CoRE monitored the region's Sustainable Farming & Food Strategy until January 2009. It co-ordinated the region's 'Year of Food and Farming' in Education September 2007 – July 2008. In the past SW CoRE has responded to consultations. The move from funded projects has been a deliberate one to allow SW CoRE to strengthen its network role.
Our Missions
To provide a coherent voice to and for regional institutions and national Government on issues of relevance and concern to all rural enterprise in the South West.
Our Aims
- To provide a forum where representatives of the land-based and related industries can discuss issues and arrive at a consensual view
- To serve as an interface between these industries on one hand and national and regional institutions, such as GOSW and the SW RDA, on the other
- To promote the importance of the land-based and related industries to the regional economy and to the environment of the region
- To enable all sectors of farming and related industries to realise their full potential
- An independent body, both of Government and of any specific lobby group in South West regional issues
- To champion regional rural issues at a national level when necessary
Our Structure
The South West Chamber of Rural Enterprise forms a three-tier structure, which comprises the Board of Directors, the SW CoRE team and the Members & Observers (made up of statutory organisations). Our Information Pack details our structure, our objectives and our outputs.
View contact details for SW CoRE.
Our Resources
As a not-for-profit organisation, SW CoRE's role is primarily co-ordination and facilitation and its capacity building is restricted to whatever is necessary to sufficiently fulfil this function.
Membership subscriptions and sponsorship from County Councils and Unitary Authorities are SW CoRE's only source of funding. The funds used from subscriptions are used to create and maintin its role to provide a network and a forum for the South West region.