FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FROM

EUROPE

Robert Morrall

Purpose of the Workshop

•to give an overview of European funding streams

•to outline the benefits of participating in European funded projects

•to suggest sources of support for project applicants

The regional economic strategy

a leading information society

skills base that can support a world-class economy

global leadership in developing and realising innovation in science, technology and research

high quality places to work and live

making the most from the development of international gateways and national and regional transport corridors

growing competitiveness, productivity and entrepreneurship

social inclusion and broad participation in the regional economy

an exemplar in environmental technologies and the efficient use of resources

European Structural Funds

The European Union supports poorer regions of MemberStates by providing funds to help them regenerate theireconomies and create new jobs. The four most importantfunds are known collectively as the ‘Structural Funds’

European Regional Development Fund

Aims to improve economic prosperity and social inclusion byinvesting in projects to promote development and encourage the diversity of industry, in areas lagging behind the European average

European Social Fund

Funds training, human resources, and equal opportunities schemes to promote employment opportunities

European Agricultural GuidanceAnd Guarantee Fund

Encourages restructuring and diversification, promoting economicprosperity and social inclusion, whilst protecting the environment and rural heritage

Financial Instrument and Fisheries Guidance

Funds projects to modernise the structure of the fisheriessector and related industries, and encourages thediversification of the workforce and fisheries industry into othersectors. Aims to achieve a balance between fisheries resourcesand their exploitation

Funding streams available

•there is no one definitive/comprehensive list available

•currently a reform of European funding programmes for the next programming period (2007 – 2013)

Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (€3.6bn)

• to strengthen regional competitiveness and attractiveness by anticipating economic and social change and supporting innovation, the knowledge society, entrepreneurship, protection of the environment and risk prevention

• also help for workers and companies, on the basis of the European Employment Strategy, to adapt to change and encourage the development of job markets that award priority to social inclusion

3 Programmes

• Enterprise and Innovation Programme – aims to help enterprises innovate by providing access to finance

• ICT Policy Support Programme – building on previous programmes in line with i2010

• Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme – will encourage the wider take up of new and renewable energies and improve energy efficiency

Competitiveness and Innovation

European Territorial Co-operation Objective

will strengthen co-operation at three levels:

cross-border co-operation through joint programmes, (circa €306m for eligible parts of UK, but not Hertfordshire)cooperation between transnational zones; networks for co-operation and exchange experiences throughout the EU

LIFE+ programme

LIFE+ will contribute to:

• combating climate change• halting the decline in nature and bio-diversity• improving environment, health and quality of life• promoting the sustainable use and management of natural resources and wastes• developing strategic approaches to policy development, implementation and information/awareness raising

Culture 2007

Culture 2007 will have three main objectives:

• the transnational mobility of people working in the cultural sectors• the transnational circulation of works of art (including immaterial works such as music)• intercultural dialogue

• projects can be focused on: performing arts, visual arts, cultural heritage or books and reading• must have something uniquely European about them (not just a tour of a UK performance or exhibition)

• must be developed and implemented by at least 3 partner organisations from 3 different eligible countries (currently the 25 Member States, plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria and Romania – Croatia and Turkey may become eligible countries in 2006)• can last for either 1 year or, in exceptional cases, for 2-3 years• are likely to have a total budget of between €100-300,000 (1 year projects) or €500,000 (2-3 year projects)• can receive a maximum of 50% EU funding (1 year projects) or 60% (2-3 year projects)

Culture 2007

Twinning Programme

• exchange programme - includes meetings that combine learning about the European Union and practical activities at the local level. The lower and upper limits for funding are €2,000 and €20,000

• conference programme – minimum and maximum amounts are €10,000 and €60,000. Criteria will allow for a mixture of training, promotion and information activities

2006 Community Action Programme

•2006 was the European Year of Workers Mobility

•will include non-discrimination and equal opportunities, and looks forward to the 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for all

•an annual budget of up to €18.77 million is foreseen to fund activities across the EU 25

Progress

• the community programme for Employment and Social Solidarity will financially support the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in the employment and social affairs area and thereby, in the context of the Lisbon Strategy, contribute to achieving the objectives of the Social Agenda• the programme will be divided into 5 sections:

- employment - social protection and inclusion - working conditions - antidiscrimination and diversity - gender equality

• the programme will finance the following types of actions:

- analytical activities (data collection, development of common methodologies, benchmarking)- mutual learning, awareness and dissemination activities

(exchange of best practice, innovative approaches and experiences, by means of meetings/ workshops/

seminars) - support to main actors (organisation of working groups, funding of training seminars, experts’ networks etc)

Progress

• access to this programme is open to all public and/or private bodies, actors and institutions, in particular: - Member States

- employment services/employment agencies- local and regional authorities

- specialised bodies - social partners - non-governmental organisations - higher education and research institutes - experts in evaluation - national statistical offices - media

Progress

Not only but also……

•potential funding for:

- education and training activities (e.g. skilling/upskilling workers, management

training, training of trainers, mobility of workers) - lifelong learning- ICT- wider world (local authority EU-Latin American links, EU Asia-Link programme for higher education, EU Asia Invest Programme)

Benefits of engagement with European Funding

• developing new ideas and approaches

• learning from best practice and experience of others

• benchmarking

• realisation of a discrete piece of work through the completion of a transnational project (time limited)

• providing a unique experience and insight into the lifestyles and environment of another community by:

- learning from the best practice of others

- improving service delivery and problem

solving

• effective staff development and training:

- overseas partnerships and links can provide innovative training opportunities for all levels of staff, ranging from management development to practical skills

Benefits of engagement with European Funding

• promoting stronger community partnerships:

- use of partnerships to motivate key sections of the community, such as ethnic minorities, young people and disadvantaged groups, who may not be involved in local activities or have contact abroad

• promoting tolerance and understanding:

- understanding of the world, broadening horizons, promoting tolerance and respect, combating racism and xenophobia

Benefits of engagement with European Funding

• looking at other communities can: - encourage people to look more closely at their own environment and social structures

- boost civic pride, self-esteem and confidence

- increase awareness of European and international issues in a global economy

Benefits of engagement with European Funding

• economic and business development: - partnerships allow small and large organisations, in both the public and private sectors, to explore potential economic benefits of co-operation

- companies may find it easier to trade with people they know and understand - tourism is an important industry to the economy in many areas and overseas partnerships can help promote an area

Benefits of engagement with European Funding

Sources of Information/Support

• Sources of information include:

- Funding Programme Websites- E-mail Alerts- Journals- Funding Programme Information Days- Local Authority European Officers- Subscription based databases (e.g. Grantfinder, Grants on Line, European Information Service)-East of England Brussels Office

• Sources of support include:

- Councils for Voluntary Service - Local Authority External Funding Officers - Funding Programme Support Units or National Managing Agents - Local External Funding Partnerships HERN

Role of a Brussels Office

• guidance through the maze of EU institutions and legislation providing intelligence and advance

warning of EU policy and funding developments

• promoting regional businesses to the rest of the EU, and helping to forge business links throughout

Europe

• creating links through networking and partner searches with other European regions

• promoting the East of England to key decision makers in the European institutions

Alan CorbettEuropean and External Funding ManagerEAST OF ENGLAND DEVELOPENT AGENCY

Tel: 01223 484575Mob: 07921 020977E-mail: alancorbett@eeda.org.uk

Robert Morrall

Tel: 0777 564 5619

Email:- robertmorrall@aol.com

www.sapientree.netwww.projectagora.netwww.bcmeurope.com/agora