Background
The European Union (EU) sets the commercial and business framework for its 27 member states with their population of 493 million. The West Midlands is an important part of the EU and its economy. It has a population larger than that of eight EU member states, and approximately half of its exports are within the single market.
Our role
Advantage West Midlands works with a broad range of partners across the region and the EU to ensure that the West Midlands makes the most of the opportunities offered by EU membership. We work to influence European policies and programmes which will have a direct effect on our regional economic performance. One of our key tasks is to maximise access to EU funding programmes and to marry these funds to the priorities of the West Midlands Economic Strategy.
Funding
From 2007, Advantage West Midlands takes on the day to day delivery of two major regional European funding streams: the ERDF Programme which will provide €400m to invest in innovation, enterprise and sustainable urban development; and funding through the RDPE programme to support the diversification of rural economies at the local level.Innovation and Research
We must not overlook the wider opportunities on offer through other types of EU funding. Amongst these, the 7th Framework Programme (FP7), as the main EU fund for research, development and demonstration, is of particular importance to our region. Over seven years, FP7 will provide €54.5 billion to further research excellence and its practical commercialisation. Advantage West Midlands runs two schemes to help regional organisations access this funding:
Advice and support on FP7 and related funding programmes is provided in conjunction with the West Midlands in Europe office in Brussels and the ERRIN network.
Skills
The Lifelong Learning Programme, with a budget of €6.97 billion, is another key source of European funding, which offers opportunities for regional organisations and residents to invest in skills development at all stages of life. Grants and subsidies are available to projects and activities that foster interchange, promote bilateral and multilateral partnerships, foster trans-national mobility of individuals and promote quality in education and training systems throughout Europe. Advantage West Midlands submitted two projects under Leonardo da Vinci programme – TOPTECH and DESIGN THE KEY in partnership with the Birmingham City Council and Coventry University Enterprise respectively.
The Marie Curie Actions under FP7 People Programme provide opportunities for training and career development of researchers and for bringing skilled professionals from Europe to West Midlands companies and organisations involved in research. Download a Marie Curie Actions information sheet.
Transnational links
Advantage West Midlands encourages the sharing and exchange of knowledge through transnational working, where this brings visible benefits to our region. We assist in the development of regional projects under European transnational funding programmes and also promote region-to-region links, through transnational networks such as ERRIN (innovation), DISTRICT, PURPLE (rural and peri-urban links) and RURIPOLITAN (rural). The West Midlands has a particularly close collaborative relationship with Lower Silesia, a region in the South of Poland which shares many structural similarities to the West Midlands. Our work focuses on three main thematic areas – business to business, scientific partnerships and structural funds and other European funding. The Agency endorsed a European Institute of Technology (EIT) pilot project including transnational partners in Lower Silesia (Poland), France, Holland, Finland and Bulgaria. The project is strategically important for the West Midlands region as it aims to integrate digital technology platforms.
In Brussels
Advantage West Midlands established and helps maintain the West Midlands in Europe office. The office serves a wide regional partnership, and through its presence in Brussels, enables all parts of the region to be well-informed and well-connected both with other regions in Europe and with the corridors of power in the Commission and Parliament.