The local authorities of Ards, Banbridge, Down and North Down have agreed to form a “cluster” to deliver the new Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme across the four Council areas to 2013. DRAP has been formed, which is a fully inclusive and representative body comprising of individuals and organisations with an experience and expertise in diverse aspects of rural development, and is responsible for delivering a high quality and innovative rural strategy that addresses local rural issues and needs.
The Mission Statement of Down Rural Area Partnership is:
"To create actions with the communities and businesses in the Down Rural Area which will lead to a sustainable, dynamic and cohesive region of Northern Ireland, celebrated locally, nationally and internationally as a model of rural good practice".
The Down Rural Area Partnership Local Action Group is made up of the following 21 members;
| Deirdre-Ann Lennon | Disability Action | Alderman Margaret Craig | Ards Borough Council | |
| Pat Ward | Social/ Community Representative | Councillor Angus Carson | Ards Borough Council | |
| Caroline Mahon | Social/ Community Representative | Councillor Patsy Toman | Down District Council | |
| Brigid Watson | Social/Community Representative | Councillor Michael Coogan | Down District Council | |
| David Stewart | Ulster Farmers Union | Councillor Ian Parsley | North Down Borough Council | |
| Sean Fitzpatrick | NI Agriculture Producers Association | Alderman Gordon Dunne | North Down Borough Council | |
| David Kerr | Social/ Community Representative | Councillor Seamus Doyle | Banbridge District Council | |
| Maritta McLornan | Seafish Industry Training Board NI Ltd | Councillor Elizabeth Ingram | Banbridge District Council | |
| Michael Conway | Northern Ireland Housing Executive | Paul Walsh | South Eastern Regional College | |
| Ada Elliott | Social/ Community Representative | |||
| Nicholas McCrickard | East Down Rural Community Network | |||
| Ciaran Cunningham | Banbridge District Enterprise Centre |
The Down Rural Area Partnership Joint Committee is made up of the following 8 members;
| Councillor Jim McBriar | Ards Borough Council | Councillor John Hanna | Banbridge District Council | |
| Councillor Alan Graham | North Down District Council | Councillor James McKerrow | North Down District Council | |
| Councillor Dermot Curran | Down District Council | Councillor Liam Johnston | Down District Council | |
| Councillor Jim Fletcher | Ards Borough Council | Councillor Barbara McAlister | Banbridge District Council |
