Background
Structural Funds are monies allocated directly to the regions from the European Union. The aim of these funds is to reduce disparity between regions by stimulating economic development. The next round of structural funds will run from 2007-2013. Within this period, the West Midlands will receive support through two new programmes: a regional ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Programme which will provide investment to create jobs, and a single national ESF Programme, which will provide funding to support skills and training. Together these funds will provide an additional £500 million of investment in the West Midlands.
ERDF Programme 2007-2013
Working in partnership, Advantage West Midlands are responsible for the management and delivery of the new ERDF Programme as an Intermediate Body, with Government retaining the formal legal status of Managing Authority. The new programme is €440 m (c. £267 m).The Operational Programme
The regional ERDF programme has been developed in close collaboration with regional partners under the direction of the Regional Assembly’s European and International Affairs Partnership. A formal 12 week consultation Programme and the Strategic Environmental Assessment / Sustainability Appraisal (SA). The consultation closed on Monday 12th March 2007. All responses and comments received were reviewed and the final draft of the programme has now been submitted to the European Commission.
Management Arrangements
The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) has set up a joint CLG/Government Office/RDA Transition Board to oversee transfer negotiations. The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) is the lead Regional Development Agency (RDA) for Europe and they are coordinating the work on behalf of the RDA network. Advantage West Midlands is actively engaged in the transfer process.
Advantage West Midlands published the regional ERDF partnership and management arrangements in July 2007 following a regional consultation. The proposed arrangements (prepared by a partnership based task and finish group) were endorsed by the shadow ERDF Programme Monitoring Committee in October 2007.
Partnership and Management Arrangements Consultation
In March 2007, Advantage West Midlands launched a consultation to seek views on the proposed partnership and management arrangements for the ERDF programme. These proposals were prepared through a partnership based ‘task and finish’ group which was established to support the transfer work. The responses have informed the final draft management arrangements which are available from the download section below. A document summarising feedback from the consultation is also available. The details of the RDAs’ role are still subject to negotiation with Government in order to ensure the new arrangements are fit for purpose for all parties and meet the requirements of the European Commission Regulations. Further details of the new arrangements will be published here as soon as they become available.Moving forward
Subject to Commission approval, the programme will be formally launched in January 2008.Future Communications
A new web page, designed to help manage and promote the ERDF programme will be made live in line with the programme launch in January.ESF Programme 2007- 2013
There will be a single ESF programme for England managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) with the twin aims of extending employment opportunities and developing a skilled and adaptable workforce. The West Midlands will receive an indicative allocation of €372 m (c. £243m) from the Programme.
A regional ESF Framework has been prepared by the progress group of the Regional Skills Partnership to ensure that ESF activity addresses regional employment and skills priorities. The programme will be delivered through a number of co-financing organisations. Further details on the programme are available from DWP website and Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM).
Objective 2 and Objective 3
The Government Office for the West Midlands will continue to manage the Objective 2 and 3 programmes that will run until the end of 2008. Details of these programmes are available from Government Office for the West Midlands website.ERDF Programme 2007 - 2013 Launch Event
On behalf of the Regional Partnership, AWM will be holding an event to launch the new ERDF Programme on Tuesday 22nd January 2008 at The International Convention Centre in Birmingham. The event will include a number of presentations by senior key speakers from lead organisations outlining the importance of ERDF to the region, the vision for the future and detail on the content of the new Programme including how to apply for funding.
More information on the event can be found in the 'Related Documents' or by visiting the 'News and Events' section.