D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership: Update bulletin for the VCS - 3
Welcome to the third update bulletin from One East Midlands on the work of D2N2 LEP and opportunities for relationships with the VCS.
If you not fully aware of the role of LEPs then more information can be found in our policy page at www.oneeastmidlands.org.uk/leps including links to individual LEP websites; including D2N2.
Development of the D2N2 Social Inclusion Framework
In our July bulletin we publicised the publication of the D2N2 Social Inclusion Framework.
In summary the framework identifies 5 thematic priorities to be addressed through the Social Inclusion investment strand of ESF. These priorities are:
In addition to thematic priorities, a number of cross-cutting challenges and opportunities were also highlighted including:
In July this document remained an advisory tool for the LEP to consider. We are pleased to report that the framework has now received overwhelming support from the D2N2 LEP Board following presentation of the report by VCS Board member, Rob Crowder. The Board were especially supportive of the framework’s ambitions to protect locally delivery and reach and in fact suggested wording to strengthen these commissioning priorities. The slightly revised document can now be found here.
Big Lottery Fund Partnership Development Funding
The Big Lottery Fund have made available up to £30,000 in the D2N2 LEP area to help support and prepare local partners for the main programme of Social Inclusion opt-in funding in 2015. A provider organisation has been chosen however this decision is embargoed until the 23 October 2014. However, in summary the role will:
Delivery of projects through the European Structural & Investment Funds (ESIF) cannot commence until the managing authorities have agreed a Partnership Agreement with the European Commission and Operational Programmes for each of the individual funding streams involved (primarily ESF, ERDF and EAFRD).
The Partnership Agreement negotiations have now ended and a final submission was made 15 October. Managing Authorities are now working towards agreement on Operational Programmes by end of January 2015 (earlier for Rural). On this timeframe we anticipate calls for activity to commence Feb/Mar 2015. We will continue to keep you updated on progress.
Implementation Plan – consultation now open
In preparation for a quick start on ESIF funded projects once EU agreements are in place, D2N2 have been asked to submit an implementation plan based on the initial ESIF Strategy. As a result of growing engagement with and by the LEP and further development of priorities the LEP have decided that a period of consultation would be helpful.
The consultation is open until 14 November and can be viewed at www.d2n2lep.org/ESIF.
The formal governance structure for the ESIF programme is now being developed across England. In order to comply with the requirements of the EC Code of Conduct on Partnership Working all parts of the governing structures must include a variety of social, environmental and economic partners; including the VCS.
At every LEP-area level there will be a formal sub-committee of the national governing structure called a LEP-area ESIF Sub Committee. In D2N2 the VCS will be represented on this group by the existing VCS Board representative, Rob Crowder. However, a process is now underway to recruit additional specialist input on Equality & Anti-Discrimination, Environmental Sustainability and Rural issues. Timescales for nomination are very short (22 October) so please call us or D2N2 directly if you are interested in any of these roles.
In anticipation of the appointment of a programme development provider we will be arranging two short introductory events focusing on the delivery of the Social Inclusion Framework.
Both events will take a detailed look at the framework objectives, approaches to implementation, the proposed application process (by Big Lottery Fund) and timescales.
To book onto either session please click on the links above.
We will be keeping you regularly informed of progress so please keep an eye on our website and the D2N2 page for updates between bulletins.
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