December 2007

 

Convergence Funding

The Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will soon get underway early in 2008. Like its predecessor, Objective One, the £445m economic programme is designed to speed up the economic development of the county. The Convergence Programme runs until 2013 and is split into two funding streams.

  • The European Social Fund (ESF) Operational Programme is worth £133m and has been agreed by the European Commission. The ESF Programme will focus on tackling barriers to employment and improving the skills of the local workforce. The ESF Framework for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is available at www.swrsp.org.uk.
  • The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programme amounts to £312m and is awaiting approval by the Commission. The ERDF Programme takes up the lion’s share of Convergence and has four priorities: innovation, research & development; enterprise and investment: transformational infrastructure: and unlocking the economic potential of place. The draft ERDF Operational Programme document is available to download at www.objectiveone.com under “Towards Convergence”.

Responsibility for the delivery of the Convergence Programme will lie with the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA). The main differences between Convergence and Objective One are as follows:

  • Convergence will consist only of ERDF and ESF funding, as highlighted above. The Rural and Fisheries funds will become part of mainstream UK programmes with ring-fenced allocations for Cornwall and Scilly.
  • Convergence will need to clearly highlight how it is contributing to the Lisbon Agenda, which means a greater focus on competitiveness, innovation and a more knowledge-based economy.
  • Investments will be commissioned by the Programme rather than projects bidding into it. This means that Convergence will have fewer, but bigger investments than Objective One.

We will keep you regularly updated on developments with the Convergence Programme. In the meantime, should you wish to learn more, further details are available at www.objectiveone.com under “Towards Convergence”.

Convergence

The Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly will soon get underway early in 2008. Like its predecessor, Objective One, the £445m economic programme is designed to speed up the economic development of the county.

Click here for the full article.

SWRDA Research and Development Grant

The South West RDA will be relaunching their Grant for Research and Development in the New Year. The grant provides funding to help individuals and SME’s to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes.
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Sustainable Farming and Food Grant

Devon Renaissance, the organisation behind the Sustainable Farming and Food Grant, have made it even easier to apply for funding. Projects can be up to 50% funded, with grants ranging from a minimum of £5,000 to a usual threshold of £100,000.

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