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European structural funds
01/10/2007
Projects designed to increase Scotland's economic competitiveness are being invited to apply for a new programme of European funding.
Scotland will receive approximately £570 million of European Structural Funds in 2007-13.
The money can be used to match-fund projects that will help Scotland improve its growth rate and get more people into work.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said:
"European Structural Funds provide a major opportunity to complement the Scottish Government's drive to create a wealthier and fairer Scotland, as well as our new economic and skills strategies for Scotland.
"Although Scotland is receiving just under half of the funding received in 2000-06, I welcome the continuation of Structural Funds, which will enable us to build on the strong legacy of past programmes.
"We are pleased that people the length and breadth of Scotland will still be able to benefit from Structural Funds.
"The reduction in funding, which is not unique to Scotland, is a direct result of EU enlargement to include Central and Eastern Europe."
The programme will be organised to ensure that all areas of Scotland are eligible and that money is distributed fairly, taking into account population, rurality and the needs of the area.
For the Highlands and Islands European Regional Development Fund
- £33 million will be available for enhancing business competitiveness, commercialisation and innovation
- £29 million will be available for enhancing key drivers for sustainable growth
- £20 million will be available for enhancing peripheral and fragile communities
For the Highlands and Islands European Social Fund (ESF) Programmes
- £10 million will be available for increasing the workforce
- £14 million will be available for investing in the workforce
- £10 million will be available for improving access to lifelong learning
For the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland European Regional Development Fund
- £64 million will be available for research and innovation
- £84 million will be available for enterprise growth
- £70 million will be available for urban regeneration
- £35 million will be available for rural development
For the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland ESF Programme
- £84 million will be available for progressing into employment
- £69 million will be available for progressing through employment
- £29 million will be available for improving access to lifelong learning
A minimum project threshold is being set for the first time with the aim of encouraging larger scale, larger impact projects. For Lowlands and Uplands Scotland, eligible projects must have a minimum annual average cost of £200,000 or over. No threshold will apply in the Highlands and Islands, owing to the smaller nature of projects in that area.
Projects that meet the eligibility criteria can apply for funding through a two-stage application process - an initial expression of interest, followed by a more detailed application. Advice is provided on project eligibility and application procedures. Organisations operating in the public sector, including local government, non-governmental organisations and the enterprise networks, can apply for the funding, as well as higher and further education bodies and the voluntary sector. The private sector cannot apply for the funding directly, though representative organisations can.
Applications are appraised by advisory groups, consisting of experts drawn from external partners and Scottish Government policy officials.
A ranked list of projects is submitted to the Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC), which comprises senior representatives of partners from the Programme area and are chaired by the head of the European Structural Funds Division. One PMC operates for Lowlands & Uplands Scotland and 1 for the Highlands & Islands. The PMC recommendations are passed to Ministers for final decisions on projects.