One EM submits response to BIS consultation

One East Midlands has submitted a response, on behalf of its members, to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills Partnership Agreement: Delivery of Structural Funds, Rural Development Funds and Maritime and Fisheries Funds in England Consultation.

EU policies for cohesion, rural development, maritime and fisheries each play a significant role in supporting sustainable, environmental, social and economic restructuring across the EU. They support socio-economic development and employment growth, helping to rebalance the economy. The main financial instruments that support this agenda in the UK are the Structural and Cohesion Funds, which comprise of the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), the ESF (European Social Fund), the EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) and the EMFF (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund).

The consultation, which closed on Friday 27 April, examined the key changes proposed for 2014-2020 by the European Commission to the current arrangements governing the four funds, which include having a greater focus on fewer objectives, geographical flexibility, programme integration, and streamlining administration.

The response One East Midlands Chief Executive, Rachel Quinn, submitted to the consultation can be downloaded below.