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European
Union Funding
The European
Cohesion Policy aims to address economic and social disparities
between different parts of Europe. The European Structural
Funds are the financial instruments made available by the
European Union to support this objective
Aberdeenshire
Council has produced a guide to European Funding 2010-2013
for Community Groups. Click here
to download a copy.
European
Structural Funds
Aberdeenshire
is an eligible area for funding from the European Regional
Development Fund and the European Social Fund.
The
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to
reduce the economic disadvantages faced by certain regions
in the EU. The ERDF finances:
* Direct
aid to investments in companies (in particular Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises) to create sustainable jobs
* Infrastructure
(in particular focussed on research and innovation, telecommunications,
the environment, energy and transport)
* Financial
instruments (capital risk funds, local development funds etc.)
to support local development and to foster co-operation between
towns and regions
ERDF funding
is available for local projects and transnational (INTERREG)
projects.
There
are three strands to INTERREG:
INTERREG
A is used for cross-border cooperation. Aberdeenshire is not
eligible for this funding.
INTERREG B is used for transnational cooperation using defined
areas of Europe. Aberdeenshire is eligible for this funding.
Finally, INTERREG C is for interregional cooperation based
on the whole of Europe. Aberdeenshire is eligible for this
funding.
There are three INTERREG programmes that Aberdeenshire
is eligible to access. These are:
INTERREG IVB North Sea Region
INTERREG IVB North West Europe
INTERREG IVC
The European Social Fund (ESF) aims to improve
employment and job opportunities in the European Union. The
ESF finances projects which:
* Adapt
workers and enterprises through lifelong learning schemes,
designing and spreading innovative working organisations,
etc.
* Provide
access to employment for job seekers, the unemployed, women
and migrants
* Contribute
to the social integration of disadvantaged people and combat
discrimination in the job market
* Strengthen
human capital by reforming education systems and setting up
a network of teaching establishments.
Each EU
Member State develops its own Structural Funds programme(s)
for a period of seven years, based on EU regulations and guidance.
Aberdeenshire is covered by the Structural Funds Programme
for Lowlands and Uplands Scotland (LUPS).
As the
topic of EU funds is a complex one, only basic information
has been given on this page. Further detailed information
is provided on the Scottish Government website and can be
obtained by clicking here.
Aberdeenshire
Council has dedicated officers who deal with EU matters and
there is a lot of information about the different funds on
their
website.
Key words: European Union, ERDF, Structural Funds, Interreg
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