Funding from Europe
The European Union provides financial support to promote economic development and social inclusion through Structural Funds which are designed to support regions that require additional support to bring them up to the standards of other parts of the European Community. The funding programme is from 2007 to 2013 and there are 3 funds available:
- European Regional Development Fund (ERDF);
- European Social Fund (ESF);
- Cohesion Fund.
In the 2007-2013 programme there are three objectives:
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Convergence objective: funded by ERDF, ESF and Cohesion Fund and supports the economic growth of poorer regions by increasing competitiveness, building a more knowledge-based economy, increasing innovation, improving skills and promoting economic inclusion.
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Regional competitiveness and employment objective: funded by ERDF and ESF and supports growth and jobs for regions in crisis.
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European Territorial Co-operation objective: funded by ERDF and supports European partnership projects.
The North West is eligible for the Regional Competitiveness and Employment objective and European Territorial Co-operation objective, through ERDF and ESF.
ESF
The European Social Fund (ESF) is designed to improve employment opportunities by providing financial support towards:
- running costs for vocational training schemes,
- guidance and counselling projects,
- job creation measures
- improvement in employability and skills of employed and unemployed people
- research and improving the capacity of organisations to better help their target communities.
ERDF
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) focuses on reducing regional inequalities and assisting disadvantaged regions, particularly run-down and rural areas. Funded activities focus on job creation through investment in infrastructure, businesses, the environment, tourism and community economic development.
Useful websites and details of funding:
European Commission website:
http://europa.eu/pol/reg/index_en.htm
National ESF office:
JobCentre Plus - links to employment related pages:
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Partners/Europeansocialfund/index.html
Skills Funding Agency:
www.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk
EUCLID provides European & international information, research and consultancy services to the cultural sector:
Europe for Citizens aims to promote active European citizenship:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_europe_for_citizens.php
eContentplus focuses on stimulating the development of digital content for services in areas of public interest:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_econtent.php
LIFE+ (Financial Instrument for the Environment) aims to contribute to the implementation, updating, and development of Community environmental policy and legislation:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_life.php
Youth in Action supports experiences of European citizenship and solidarity among young people aged 13 to 30. It also aims to develop young's sense of initiative, creativeness and entrepreneurial spirit:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_youth.php
Europe for Citizens aims to promote active European citizenship:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_europe_for_citizens.php
Fundamental Rights and Justice is divided into 5 subprogrammes: Fight against violence (Daphne), Drugs prevention and information, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Criminal Justice, Civil Justice:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_fundamental_rights.php
Daphne:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_daphne.php
Drugs Prevention and Information
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_drugs_prevention.php
Fundamental Rights and Citizenship:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_fundamental_rights_citizenship.php
Civil Justice:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_civil_justice.php
PROGRESS complements ESF in fighting against poverty and unemployment, combat discrimination, promote gender equality; integrate disabled people into society and many others:
www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope_progress.php
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