The True Value of EU Funding
Although complex and sometimes difficult to access, the advantage of EU Programmes is that they provide a stable, seven year period of funding and bring in additional match-funding. These features are not available in national programmes. Councils must be able to engage with all EU funds in order that they can better meet local needs. If funds are to fully realise their EU added-value potential, they must increasingly compliment and enhance existing local spend, local partnerships and local democracy.
Councillor support
NILGA currently offers European support services to elected members sitting on committees of EU funded programmes funded under the Technical Assistance Measure within the EU Competitiveness & Employment Programme and managed by Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP). NILGA supports Members on EU PEACE III, INTERREG IV and Competiveness & Employment Programmes.
The European services to date have supported all local government members on the Monitoring Committees, Working Groups and Steering Committees of EU funded programmes so as to ensure that the local government sector is fully engaged and actively participating in the process.
NILGA also provides services for members sitting on the EU Committee of the Regions (CoR), Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (Congress), Council of European Municipalities and Regions of Europe (CEMR), and LGIB Director support.
Main EU Funding available to Councils 2007 - 2013
Northern Ireland will benefit from a range of EU funding programmes over the next number of years. In total Northern Ireland will receive around £1.2bn in EU funding within this period. A brief summary of the main programmes together with links providing further information and application details are outlined below.
Northern Ireland Competitiveness and Employment Programme
The programme aims to promote investment in the development of a knowledge-based, innovative and business-friendly region with a highly skilled workforce supporting a high quality of life. The total budget is € 614 million, with € 307 million of investment from the EU. It includes setting up six new centres of excellence in research and development and contributing to starting up 250 new businesses. The Managing Authority is the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Further information is available at www.detini.gov.uk.
European Social Fund Programme
The European Social Fund Programme will contribute to reducing the productivity gap in Northern Ireland by helping to reduce the level of economic inactivity and increasing
workforce skills. Northern Ireland is to receive € 165.7 million from the Fund from 2007-
2013. The Managing Authority for the Programme is the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). Further information is available at www.delni.gov.uk.
PEACE III Programme
The PEACE III Programme has a total budget of € 333 million, with € 225 million of
investment from the EU. The goal is to reinforce progress towards a peaceful and stable society and to promote reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the border region, by supporting projects that bring communities together. The Managing Authority for PEACE III is the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Further information is available at www.seupb.org.
INTERREG IVA Cross-Border Programme
Northern Ireland, the border counties of Ireland and parts of western Scotland will benefit from a seven-year cross-border INTERREG programme, with a total budget of € 256 million, including € 192 million of investment from the EU. The programme will focus on developing a dynamic economy, supporting infrastructure and promoting innovative ways of addressing specific cross-border problems. The Managing Authority for INTERREG IVA is the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Further information is available at www.seupb.org
INTERREG IVB and IVC Programmes
INTERREG IVB aim to promote a higher degree of territorial integration, with a view to
achieving sustainable and balanced development across the EU. Key areas of focus include innovation, environment, accessibility and sustainable urban environment. INTERREG IVC focuses on the identification, analysis and dissemination of good practices by public authorities in order to improve the effectiveness of regional and local policies. Further information is available at www.seupb.org
International Fund for Ireland
The EU has committed € 15 million per year for the four-year period 2007-2010 to the
International Fund for Ireland to support its strategy 'Sharing this space'. Further information is available at www.internationalfundforireland.com/
Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme
The EU will be contributing €171 million to the Northern Ireland Rural Development
Programme for 2007-2013. The programme aims to boost the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry, improve the environment and countryside and improve the quality of life in rural areas. Further information is available at www.dardni.gov.uk/index/ruraldevelopment/nirdp2007-2013.htm
European Fisheries Fund
The European Fisheries Fund (EFF) will provide support for the fisheries sector, including adaptation of the fleet, processing and marketing of fishery products and the development of sustainable fisheries. The EFF will run for seven years, with a total budget of around € 3.8 billion. For more information on the application of the fund in Northern Ireland, go to http://www.dardni.gov.uk/index/grants-and-funding.htm
Seventh Framework Research Programme
The Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development is the EU's main instrument for funding research in Europe and is designed to respond to Europe's employment needs, competitiveness and quality of life. Further information is available at http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/index_en.cfm
Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme
The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) aims to encourage the competitiveness of European enterprises. With small and medium-sized enterprises as its main target, the programme will support innovation activities, provide better access to finance and deliver business support services in the regions. It will encourage a better take-up and use of information and communications technologies and help to develop the information society. It will also promote the increased use of renewable energies and energy efficiency. Further information is available at http://ec.europa.eu/cip/index_en.htm
PROGRESS Programme
The new PROGRESS programme for employment and social solidarity will focus on
employment, social protection and social inclusion, working conditions, anti-discrimination and diversity and gender equality. Further information is available at
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/progress/index_en.html
Lifelong Learning Programme
The new Lifelong Learning Programme offers funding for organisations involved in education and training and provides opportunities to get involved in European links. It includes the Comenius programme for schools, Erasmus for higher education, Leonardo da Vinci for vocational education and training and Grundtvig for adult education. Further information is available at http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/index_en.htm or
www.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk.
Youth in Action
Youth in Action is the new EU programme in the field of youth and is a key instrument in
providing young people with opportunities for non-formal and informal learning with a
European dimension. Further information is available at
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.htm
LIFE + (Environment)
With a budget of over €2.1 billion, LIFE + will provide support for the implementation of EU environmental policy and legislation in respect of nature, biodiversity and other
environmental issues. Further information is available at
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm.
Culture Programme
The Culture Programme aims to encourage the development of cultural cooperation and intercultural dialogue across Europe. Further information is available at
http://ec.europa.eu/culture/index_en.htm
Europe for Citizens
The Europe for Citizens programme supports a wide range of activities and organisations promoting active European citizenship, including town-twinning. Further information is available at http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/citizenship/index_en.htm.
MEDIA 2007
MEDIA 2007 supports the European audiovisual sector and focuses on preproduction and post-production activities, including distribution and promotion. Further information isavailable at http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/media/overview/2007/index_en.htm.
EU Health Programme
The Health Programme 2008-2013 is intended to complement, support and add value to the policies of the Member States and contribute to increased solidarity and prosperity in the European Union by protecting and promoting human health and safety and by improving public health. The overall budget is €321 million. Further information is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_programme/pgm2008_2013_en.htm