European Structural Funds 2014-2020 Consultation
The consultation has been launched at the Annual Publicity Event on 14 May 2013. It will cover the strategic, governance and delivery arrangements for the 2014-2020 European Structural Funds programmes.
The consultation will run until 30 June 2013. Should you have any queries, contact the Future Funds team futurefunds2020@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
European Structural Funds – Annual Publicity Event & Awards Ceremony 14 May 2013
The Annual Publicity and Awards Event will take place on Tuesday 14 May 2013. Invitations for the event are available for download.
The Event will be held on Tuesday 14th May 2013 at Glasgow Caledonian University, Banqueting Hall, Glasgow. Timings for the event will be between 8:45 to 15:00 including lunch.
If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact the European Structural Funds Division on 0300 244 6825.
European Structural Funds - Newsletter January 2013
A copy of the recent Newsletter is now available for download.
Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programme Monitoring Committee – 24 October 2012 - Draft Agenda
A draft agenda for the LUPS Programme Monitoring Committee on 24 October 2012 in Glasgow is now available for download.
Call For Applications - Technical Assistance - 04 September 2012
The Managing Authority and Monitoring Evaluation Group from Scottish Structural Funds Programmes has announced a call for applications for evaluation work to help inform the development of the 2014-2020 Structural Funds Programmes.
Technical Assistance will support up to 50% of eligible for the evaluations, please click here to read more and here for full guidance.
Future of the Funds Survey
The Future Funds team invites you to participate in a survey being carried out by Scottish Government on the 2014-2020 European Structural Funds Programmes in Scotland.
More information and link to the survey here.
Programme Monitoring Committee Draft Agendas
Draft agendas for the next Programme Monitoring Committees are now available
Lowlands & Uplands Scotland - 29 May 2012, Glasgow
Highlands & Islands Scotland - 13 June 2012, Inverness
Future of the Funds Blog
We recently launched a blog on the 2014-2020 EU Structural Funds Programmes for those interested in following the debate in Scotland. In this blog, staff from Scottish Government European Structural Funds Division will post details of talks with both the UK Government and the European Commission on the future of Structural Funds in Scotland, and will provide updates and links to key publications.
We invite you to share your views on the European Commission's proposals and to help shape the 2014-2020 programmes in Scotland. Please sign up to receive email updates for the blog.
Intermediate Administrative Branch Contact Details
Highlands and Islands IAB Staff
Scottish Government ESF Division, Longman House, 28 Longman Road, Inverness, IV1 1RV
Telephone: 0300 020 1268
Scottish Government ESF Division, 10 Keith Street, Stornoway, HS1 2QG
Telephone: 01851 702392
Lowlands and Uplands IAB Staff
Scottish Government ESF Division, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU
Telephone: 0141 271 3842
European Structural Funds - Annual Event - 15 December 2011
The Structural Funds Annual Event took place in Maryhill Burgh Halls on 15 November 2011. A key part of the day was a round table discussion focussing on what we could learn from the current programme, how we could ensure that lessons learned were incorporated into the new programme and how best to use Structural Funds to support Government priorities. The three specific questions are outlined below. This short report captures the main points from the discussions on the day..... Continue
UPDATE TO ERDF Legal Context of European Structural Funds State Aid Notification (REFERENCE: X654/2009) - 1 August 2011
The Scottish Government has made an amendment to the State Aid Notification (Reference: X654/2009). The update has been made to include regional investment and employment aid (Article 13) of Commission Regulation (EC) 800/2008 (General Block Exemption Regulation).
The State Aid Notification (Reference: X654/2009) sets out the legal basis which ensures that the European Regional Development Fund in Scotland complies with the relevant provision of the EC General Block Exemption (Commission Regulation No 800/2008). The notification covers the European Regional Development Fund in the Highlands & Islands and Lowlands and Uplands Scotland.
This Notification has been sent to the European Commission via the State Aids Unit - http://www.stateaidscotland.gov.uk/
Click here to see the legal context of the European Structural Funds State Aid notification document
Programme Document Retention - 15 July 2011
An important aspect of European Structural Funds is the retention of all project records, in order to demonstrate a clear and transparent audit and procurement trail. To find out more please click here.
National Rules - Questions and Answers - 15 July 2011
A new version of our National Rules Questions and Answers is now available for upload here.
National Rules (Version 6) - 1 June 2011
A new version of our National Rules is now available for upload here.
UPDATE TO ESF Legal Context of European Structural Funds State Aid Notification (REFERENCE: X664/2009) - 19 April 2011
The Scottish Government has made a minor amendment to the State Aid Notification (Reference: X664/2009). The update has been made to include the new Priority 5 'Strategic Skills Pipeline' which operates under the European Social Fund in Lowlands and Uplands Scotland (2007-13) Programme.
The State Aid Notification (Reference: X664/2009) sets out the legal basis which ensures that the European Social Fund in Scotland complies with the relevant provision of the EC General Block Exemption (Commission Regulation No 800/2008). The notification covers the European Social Fund in Highlands & Islands and Lowlands and Uplands Scotland.
This Notification has been sent to the European Commission via the State Aids Unit - http://www.stateaidscotland.gov.uk/
Click here to see the legal context of the European Structural Funds State Aid notification document
Information note for project sponsors - The Role of the Audit Authority - 4 April 2011
Under Article 62 of Council Regulation (EC) 1083/2006 the Audit Authority is required to carry out the following tasks - Please click here for more.
ERDF Legal Context of European Structural Funds State Aid Notification - 03 August 2010
The Scottish Government has proposed a Legal Context for the European Structural Funds State Aids Notification for the European Regional Development Fund in Highlands & Islands and Lowlands and Uplands Scotland. This Notification has been sent to the European Commission via the State Aids Unit.
The Notification sets out the legal basis which ensures that the European Regional Development Fund in Scotland complies with the relevant provision of the EC General Block Exemption (Commission Regulation No 800/2008).
Click here to see the legal context of the European Structural Funds State Aid notification document.
Sale or Disposal of Assets Part Funded By ERDF - May 19, 2010
We accept that the period taken to deliver ERDF projects and the long auditable life attached to the programmes mean that issues around the sale and transfer of assets are inevitable. We have been asked to clarify the implications of the sale or disposal of an asset funded by ERDF in this and in earlier programmes.
Please click here for more information.
Refreshed Communications Plan and Evaluation Plan - July 29, 2009
Attached are new versions of two key strategy documents for European Structural Funds in Scotland.
· Our Communication Plan (2007-13) is refreshed by 30 June each year. The plan is provided to the European Commission and published widely for the information of partners. It sets out our overall communication strategy and forward planning to promote the funding provided by European Structural Funds.
ESF Legal Context of European Structural Funds State Aid Notification
The Scottish Government has proposed a Legal Context for the European Structural Funds State Aids Notification for the European Social Fund in Highlands & Islands and Lowlands and Uplands Scotland. This Notification has been sent to the European Commission via the State Aids Unit.
The Notification sets out the legal basis which ensures that the European Social Fund in Scotland complies with the relevant provision of the EC General Block Exemption (Commission Regulation No 800/2008).
Click here to see the legal context of the European Structural Funds State Aid notification document.
ERDF Legal Context of European Structural Funds State Aid Notification - July 23, 2009
Today, the Scottish Government has proposed a Legal Context of European Structural Funds State Aids Notification. This Notification will go forward to the European Commission via the State Aids Unit.
The Notification sets out our legal basis which ensures that ERDF Scotland complies with the relevant provision of the General Block Exemption (Commission Regulation No 800/2008).
Click here to see the legal context of the European Structural Funds State Aid notification document.
European Commission audit report on Highlands and Islands 1994-1999 European Regional Development Fund - March 9, 2009
Recently the European Commission carried out an audit on the Highlands and Islands Objective 1, 1994-1999 European Regional Development Fund.
Click on the links for more information on the final audit report and/or the European Commission's final decision on their audit.
Evaluation contracts awarded
The Scottish Government has set up an evaluation framework contract to cover all evaluation activity under the four 2007-13 Scottish Programmes. The contract, awarded after a full competitive tendering process, will run for 3 years, with an option for a further one year extension at the end of that period. The 3 successful companies to be placed on the framework contract are:
- Blake Stevenson
- Fraser Associates
- Hall Aitken
The Scottish Government looks forward to working with all 3 companies to deliver on the detail of the Scottish Programmes' Evaluation Plan.
Scottish Structural Funds Operational Programmes
Available for download today is the documentation for each of the four the Operational Programmes: