2014 – 2020 ERDF Investment for

Growth and Jobs Programme

Paul Brush, Head of European Support Unit Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment

30th June 2015

About the ERDF

• ERDF is one of a number of European Union Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds

• The ESI Funds are designed to reduce structural imbalances in economic performance within and between EU member countries

• In the UK funds are administered at a regional level to address regional issues

• The EU Commission sets rules on what the funds can be used for.

ERDF in NI• Over the years, ERDF funding in NI has been used to

deliver a diverse range of projects.

Lessons Learned from 2007-13 Programme

• Concentrate funds on a focused suite of support to maximise ERDF impact.

• Incorporate projects that stimulate private investment to reduce reliance on public funds.

Programme Development

• Product Development begins

• Consultation

• Executive Approval

• EU Commission Approval

• Open for Business

2014-20 ERDF Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme for Northern Ireland

Strengthening Research,

Technological Development

and Innovation

Grants for Research and

Developme

nt

Design

Support

Enhancing the Competitivenes

s of SMEs

Access to Finance for SMEs

SME Growt

h Investment incl.

Local Governmen

t

Supporting the Shift Towards a

Low Carbon Economy

Energy projects

Technical Assistance

Programme Design

Programme Finance

• Total Programme Value - €513M

• €308m ERDF • €205m Match (from public and

private sources)

Programme Finance (contd)

PA1 - Research, Technological Development & Innovation (Invest NI) - €113.48m ERDF

• Grants for R&D (€108.78m ERDF) • Design Service (€4.7m ERDF)

Programme Finance (contd)

PA2 – SME Competitiveness (Invest NI) - €135.6m ERDF

• Access to Finance for SMEs (€91.1m ERDF)

• SME Growth Investment (€44.5m ERDF)

Programme Finance (contd)

PA3- Energy from Renewable Sources (DETI Energy) - €46.6m ERDF

• Energy project/s

Programme Finance (contd)

PA4 – Technical Assistance (DETI – Managing Authority) - €12.32m ERDF

• ERDF Programme development, implementation, monitoring and publicity.

KEY OBJECTIVES

1. To Increase NI Business Expenditure on Research and Development (BERD)

2. To increase the number of companies engaged in R&D in Northern Ireland

Objective

3. To increase employment within micro and small NI businesses

4. To increase the number of high growth SMEs

Objective

5. To increase consumption of energy from renewable sources

Administration

• Commission requirement that Funds are administered by a designated Intermediate Body

• For most of the Northern Ireland Programme, this will be Invest NI

• Using many existing Schemes

Objectives for Today

To tell you:

• what support is available through the Programme

• How to access it

• What Criteria need to be met

Running Order

10.15 How to access Invest NI R&D support » Case study – Equiniti ICS

11.00 Access to Finance for SMEs » Case Study – Hugh Cormican

11.45 Questions & Answers

12.30 Close and lunch