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Accessing European Structural Funds. Ingrid Gardiner EU Manager Ingrid.gardiner@ncvo-vol.org.uk www.europeanfundingnetwork.eu. European Funding Network. Funding & Finance. Major reductions in public spending (20%) still coming through Shift from grants to contracts EU funds 2014-2020
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Accessing European Structural Funds Ingrid Gardiner EU Manager Ingrid.gardiner@ncvo-vol.org.uk www.europeanfundingnetwork.eu
Funding & Finance • Major reductions in public spending (20%) still coming through • Shift from grants to contracts • EU funds 2014-2020 • Move towards social investment, eg. bonds and loans • Consortia building and partnerships
European Structural and Investment Funds Introduction to the European Structural and Investment Funds • The Structural and Cohesion Funds are the European Union’s main funding programmes for reducing social and economic disparities across the EU. In England, these funds comprise the: • European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which supports research, innovation, business development and infrastructure investment • European Social Fund (ESF) which supports training, enhancing access to employment and social inclusion. • It will also include part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and will be aligned with the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). This funding should begin to come on stream in mid-2014.
Local focus new opportunities EU thematic objectives • Innovation • ICT • SME competitiveness • Low carbon • Climate change adaptation • Environmental protection • Sustainable transport • Employment • Social inclusion • Skills
Role of Partners and EFN • Promote new opportunities • LEP engagement – business case for engagement • Social inclusion - At least 20% of European Social Fund allocation must be dedicated to this thematic objective • Support tools: Big Lottery and match funding • Community led local development • Equality and anti-discrimination • Community grants
Social Inclusion • Tackling barriers to work in a holistic and integrated way, including through supporting early action before problems become entrenched, outreach activities and access to locally provided services. • Complementing and adding value to other services and funds locally, especially helping those with more complex barriers closer to employment. • Supporting early interventions for young people, especially those with multiple barriers to their participation, for example care leavers, ex-offenders, lone parents and those with special needs. • Targeting specific communities or ethnic minorities with high levels of poverty and social exclusion
Local focus new opportunities? • What is CLLD? • Modelled on previous Leader approaches (RDPE) • An optional tool for territorial development • Focussed on sub-regional areas (10-150,000 population) • Driven by local communities • Multi-sectoral (public, private and civil society) • Integrated approach single or multi-fund options possible e.g. ESF + ERDF; Leader + ESF + ERDF; EMFF + ESF etc.
Tasks of LAGs • Local Action Groups (LAGs) select accountable body • Build capacity • Draw up selection criteria • Call for proposals • Selection • Monitoring and evaluation
European Structural & Investment Funds 2014-2020 ESIF Growth Programme Opt in organisations e.g. Big Lottery Fund Skills Funding Agency UK Trade and Investment DWP Contractual relationship: Managing Authorities DCLG DWP DEFRA Strategy: Local Enterprise Partnerships Decision making and advice: Growth Teams Routes into the programme - opt in, CLLD, open call, competitive grants, LEP defined activity Other routes: community grants Projects People and businesses benefiting from the programme
European Structural & Investment Funds 2014-2020 Shadow Growth Programme Board: PMC Performance & Accountability Sub-committee Local Sub-Committees 39 GPB sub-committees e.g. thematic evaluation, technical assistance Projects People and businesses benefiting from the programme
Timetable Domestic timetable Spring 2013 – Guidance to LEPs on EU Investment Strategies issued; UK Partnership Agreement out to formal consultation July 2013 – Final Guidance issued to LEPs Investment Strategies submitted end of January 2014 http://europeanfundingnetwork.eu/news/how-leps-are-engaging-with-the-sector Partnership Agreement –early 2014 Operational Programme – early 2014 Launch – late autumn 2014
Useful Resources European Funding Network www.europeanfundingnetwork.eu LEP network http://www.lepnetwork.org.uk/ Prospectus European Funding https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-structural-and-investment-funds-strategies-supplementary-guidance-to-local-enterprise-partnerships Toolkits http://europeanfundingnetwork.eu/policy/cohesion-policy-2014-2020/local-enterprise-partnerships
Workshop 30 minutes In groups could you outline what opportunities you see for your organisation in the next programme? Focus on the following themes in the new programme • social inclusion • community led local development • community grants • Big Lottery resourcing the sector with EU programmes • opportunities for VCSE in new funds