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Community full menu: European Unit
European Unit - Overview of European funding
The European Unit - Economic Development Service - November 2008
europe@kirklees.gov.uk
Introduction
There is a wide range of funding available from the European Union. These funds are diverse and can be awarded to
projects in fields such as business development, culture, education and training, the environment, research and
development, social affairs and transport. However the majority of funding that Kirklees receives comes from the
Structural Funds which are the financial instruments of the EU's Regional Policy.
European Union (EU) funding
Between 2007 and 2013, Kirklees organisations are eligible for funding under the new ERDF Competitiveness Fund,
which replaces Objective 2 funding; and the ESF (European Social Fund) Employment Programme, which replaces the
former Objective 3 programme. Both strongly echo the aims of the Lisbon Agenda with their focus on sustainable
growth and jobs.
From a total Competitiveness Fund award for Yorkshire and Humber Region of €583.581,000, South Yorkshire has
been awarded €270m and the rest of the region shares €312.54m. All parts of the region are
eligible. These funds are focussed on the promotion of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship and
business growth, with an emphasis on the knowledge economy. The programme is managed through Yorkshire Forward.
The ESF Employment Programme in Yorkshire and Humber is being delivered through a framework developed by the
Regional Skills Partnership, will help inform future delivery activities to meet regional employment and skills
needs. Over seven years, the Programme will provide around £122m for South Yorkshire and £146m
for the rest of the region.
This will be matched with public funding, mainly through co-financing by the LSC (Learning and Skills Council) and
Jobcentre Plus. Activities within the programme will be centred on extending employment opportunities for those
currently inactive and developing a skilled and adaptable workforce.
More information:
Heather Waddington
European Activity Manager
Economic Development Service
Tel: 01484 221679
Email: europe@kirklees.gov.uk
European Fisheries Fund (EFF)
(Replaces Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG))
The European Fisheries Fund (2007 to 2013) provides support for the fisheries sector by giving priority to four
basic areas under six overall aims:
- Support the Common Fisheries Policy to ensure exploitation of living aquatic resources in a way which
creates the necessary conditions for sustainability in economic, environmental and social terms
- Promote a sustainable balance between resources and fleet capacity
- Strengthen competitiveness and the development of economically viable enterprises in the sector
- Foster the protection of the environment and natural resources
- Encourage sustainable development and the improvement of the quality of life in marine, lake and coastal
areas affected by fishing and aquaculture activities
- Promote equality between women and men in the development of the sector and coastal fishing areas.
European Fisheries Fund (EFF) (external site)
EU Rural Development Policy 2007-2013
The Rural Development Policy for 2007 to 2013 is focussed on three themes (known as thematic axes). These are:
- Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector
- Improving the environment and the countryside
- Improving the quality of life in rural areas and encouraging diversification of the rural economy.
The policy helps to achieve valuable goals for our countryside and for the people who live and work there.
The LEADER programme, known as Axis 4, is a delivery mechanism for the RDPE (Rural Development Programme for
England), contributing to the objectives of the three main axes above.
Community initiatives
European funding and Kirklees
This programme was launched in 2007 and will run until 2013. The programme provides funding for all regions
of Europe plus Switzerland and Norway (regional and local public authorities) to exchange and transfer
knowledge and good practice. Two main priorities are targeted: Innovation and Knowledge Economy, and
Environment and Risk Prevention.
More information:
Ramesh Bains
Senior European Officer
Economic Development Service
Tel: 01484 221682
Email: europe@kirklees.gov.ukURBACT II
(URBAN II has finished but URBACT II continues)
The URBACT II challenge is to improve the effectiveness of sustainable integrated urban development policies
in Europe with a view to implementing the European Lisbon-Gothenburg Strategy Priority to Competitiveness,
Growth and Jobs.
Three key themes:
- Growth and job creation
- Social inclusion and governance
- Sustainable urban development.
URBACT (external site)
Non-structural funds
Examples of EU Non-structural fund programmes:
Culture Programme (2007-2013)
The EU's Culture Programme (2007-2013) has a budget of €400m for projects and initiatives to celebrate
Europe's cultural diversity and enhance the shared cultural heritage through the development of cross-border
co-operation between cultural operators and institutions. The programme aims to achieve three main objectives:
- To promote cross-border mobility of those working in the cultural sector
- To encourage the transnational circulation of cultural and artistic output
- To foster intercultural dialogue.
European Year of
Each year the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe proclaims a year as the European Year of...
- 2004 - European Year of Education through Sport
The objective of the European Year of Education through Sport 2004 was to encourage partnerships between
the worlds of education and sport in order to promote the educational and social values of sporting
activity.
- 2005 - European Year of Citizenship through Education
The aim of European Year of Citizenship through Education was to launch a campaign to popularise and put
into practice the education for democratic citizenship policies and programmes developed within the
Council of Europe.
- 2006 - European Year of Workers' Mobility
The European Commission named 2006 the European Year of Workers’ Mobility. The year aimed to raise
awareness and increase understanding of the benefits of both working abroad and in a new occupation. It
was the first European year which combined the issues of mobility and workers.
- 2007 - European Year of Equal Opportunities
The 2007 European Year of Equal Opportunities for All was an initiative leading the way to a bolder
strategy seeking to give momentum to the fight against discrimination in the EU.
- 2008 - European Year of InterCultural Dialogue
The year 2008 has been designated European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. It aims to draw the attention
of people in Europe to the importance of dialogue within diversity and between diverse cultures.
LifeLong Learning Programme (2007- 2013)
The Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) is a European funding programme which supports education and training
across Europe. The LLP provides funding for all stages of lifelong learning; for activities at school, at
college, at university, in the workplace and in the community. The LLP is made up of several different
programmes offering a variety of opportunities:
- Leonardo projects involve working with European partners to build partnerships,
exchange best practice, increase staff expertise and develop the skills of learners. Leonardo funding is
open to every organisation involved in vocational training.
- Comenius This former Socrates action is now part of the
Lifelong Learning Programme, targets schools and further education establishments from across Europe to
engage in activities to introduce and strengthen the European dimension in their curriculum. Activities
supported can include:
- Schools partnerships to enable pupils, students and staff from across Europe to work together on
joint projects;
- In-service training which provides European training for staff involved in school
education and opportunities for trainee teachers. It also provides the opportunity to develop teaching
resources; and
- Comenius Assistants are intending and trainee teachers who are placed in schools and colleges
across Europe. They can help to enhance the European and cultural dimension across the curriculum,
as well as offer classes in their native language.
- Erasmus enables higher education students, teachers and institutions in 31 European
countries to study for part of their degree in another country. Erasmus is the European Commission's
flagship educational programme for Higher Education students, teachers and institutions. It was introduced
with the aim of increasing student mobility within Europe. Erasmus forms part of the EU Lifelong Learning
Programme (2007-2013), it encourages student and staff mobility for work and study, and promotes
trans-national co-operation projects among universities across Europe. The scheme currently involves nine
out of every ten European higher education establishments and supports co-operation between the
universities of 31 countries.
- Grundtvig projects involve working with European partners. Grundtvig funding is open
to every organisation involved in adult education, a passport to partnerships and training opportunities
for adult education organisations, teachers and learners.
- Transversal programme supports education and training organisations in the areas of
policy, languages, ICT (Information Computer Technology) and dissemination. UK learning professionals can
benefit from study visits offering the chance to exchange expertise in education with European
colleagues.
LIFE+
With a budget of €2.143billion for the period 2007-2013, LIFE+ is a limited but focused funding providing
specific support for the development and implementation of community environmental policy and legislation.
It comprises of three components:
- LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity
- LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance
- LIFE+ Information and Communication
For further information visit Europa (external site)Twinning
Twinning aims to share experience and develop and strengthen co-operation between towns and twinning partners.
Twinning - including information about Kirklees twin towns.
Who is eligible for EU funding?
Non-structural funds are primarily available to public sector bodies. In some cases businesses across the EU can also
apply. The majority of non-structural fund programmes require projects to involve transnational activity to occur
between partners located in other EU Countries. Usually at least three member states need to be involved in activity.
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