England ESIF Growth Programme GOV.UK Pages: A new short URL address has been created for the ESIF GOV.UK pages to make it easier to share with partners. The new address is:
www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
Community-Led Local Development: Local GDTs have asked LEPs in more developed and transition areas that have expressed a commitment to include CLLD within their ESI Fund strategies, to update us on their thinking. This includes a review of LEP plans within the context of the revised criteria [and parameters] arising from ERDF and ESF MA negotiations with the European Commission, which have been set out within the UK Partnership Agreement. ERDF and ESF MAs are meeting DG Regio on 28 January to discuss and hopefully get final agreement on the approach to CLLD in the ERDF and ESF Operational Programmes.
MA discussions with Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are also taking place in parallel given its status as less developed.
The feedback from LEPs is informing further MA - LEP conversations about CLLD; and MA – Commission negotiations on the finalisation of ERDF and ESF Operational Programmes. We will provide a further update next month.
Sustainable Development (SD): Applying SD principles to ESIF supported projects is necessary for ensuring that economic, environmental and social impacts and benefits are understood, and unforeseen consequences avoided. This is essential for meeting requirements set out in Article 8 of the Common Provisions Regulation: “The objectives of the ESI Funds shall be pursued in line with the principle of sustainable development …”. Specific environmental considerations in scope include: resource efficiency; biodiversity and ecosystem protection; and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The links below provide more detail. Whilst these have not been developed by Managing Authorities, these can usefully help LEPs and potential beneficiaries understand the SD best practice.
Programme Meetings
Growth Programme Board: The Growth Programme Board met on 9 December 2014 and discussed the latest position of the Operational Programmes and a number of other key documents for the Programme including the Communications Strategy and Activity Plan for 2015. The next full meeting takes place in March although interim/extraordinary meetings are planned in January and February to keep members updated and to ensure that we can meet the demands of any differing Operational Programmes timescales.
LEP Sounding Group meeting: The LEP Sounding Group met on 12 December 2014 and discussed the draft eligibility rules, including simplified costs, training requirements for beneficiaries and cross cutting themes, Sustainable Development and Equal Opportunities. Defra gave a presentation on the support they can provide to applicants to integrate sustainable development into operations. The focus of the meeting was on issues around the late approval of the Operational Programmes and how the Managing Authority could publish early calls and extend existing ERDF 2007-13 projects for a short period. The meeting discussed the readiness and the risks and issues associated with these options and included a detailed discussion on the steps needed to publish early calls for projects in 2015. The Managing Authorities for ERDF and ESF will be speaking to partners from late January about how the initial calls might meet local needs. Defra has commissioned further information from partners to identify which calls might be ready for EAFRD calls in March 2015 and will work with those areas proposing initial calls during February to develop call content.
Other News
Seeking Your Views - Partner Engagement Evaluation:
A short questionnaire regarding partner communications and engagement around the development of the 2014 to 2020 ESIF Growth programme is now available. Please could you take five minutes to complete the survey. We are keen to ensure we provide effective and timely communications to partners regarding the new programme and a good response to this evaluation will be of great help in the achievement of this goal. Access the survey here.
New Local Growth Newsletter – ‘Local Growth in Action’: A new newsletter which showcases best practice and shares news on all the local growth initiatives being delivered across Government and by our partners will be launched soon. The newsletters will include features on ESIF along with other local growth programmes such as the Regional Growth Fund, Growth Deals, Enterprise Zones and City Deals. The latest version will be available soon and from this edition you can subscribe to receive the newsletter directly to your inbox.
On the horizon for February
- ERDF and ESF Operational Programmes agreed in principle by the European Commission
- Arrangements and process in place for handling project calls
- Further information available on the ESIF GOV.UK website pages
- On 3 February URBACT and DCLG are co-hosting the URBACT UK Information Day. URBACT is a European exchange and learning programme promoting sustainable urban development. Taking place at Europe House in London, presentations from four UK city partners in current URBACT networks that have developed best practice through exchange and learning with other EU city stakeholders will take place. Read more information.
