Dr Carol Sweetenham's presentation at NCVO's conference on 10 December 2014, on European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020: from policy to practice – explores how the Voluntary and Community Sector will engage in the new Programme. For more information, visit NCVO's European Funding Network website http://europeanfundingnetwork.eu/ Find out more about NCVO's upcoming events http://www.ncvo.org.uk/training-and-events/events-listing European Structural and Investment Funds: Delivery of the Programmes, Dr Carol Sweetenham, DCLG, December 2014

1. European Structural and
Investment Funds:
Delivery of the Programmes
Dr Carol Sweetenham
Deputy Director
Department for Communities and Local Government

2. Key Points:
ESI Funds 2014-2020
• ESF and ERDF together £5.4bn for England
• Key design principle is to bring ESF and ERDF closer together…
• … and to allow greater local say over how the Funds are used
• Performance related spend and, for the first time, output targets
• Opportunities to support Community Led Local Development (CLLD)
(smaller projects in smaller areas) and Sustainable Urban
Development (Core Cities)
• Up front, national match funding ‘offers’ (“Opt-Ins”). These are
expected to cover c. 70% of ESF.

3. Priorities and Partnership working
3
Local needs
EU
regulations
Performance
and results
National
growth
priorities

4. 4
LEP Proposals for ERDF in England*
SMEs, 39.9%
* Figures are subject to change
Social Inclusion, 1.7%
Low Carbon, 22.5%
Environmental
Protection, 2.8%
Technical
ICT, 3.8%
Assistance, 4%
Innovation, 21.8%
Climate
Change, 1.9%
Transport, 1.5%

5. 5
LEP Proposals for ESF in England*
Employment, €1,008m
* Figures are subject to change
Social Inclusion,
€703m
Skills,
€1,305m
Technical Assistance,
€132m

6. Delivery: roles and responsibilities
• Delivery will hinge on close working between MA and local
partners: therefore essential to define roles and
responsibilities of all parties.
• EU regulations make it clear that all social and economic
partners must be involved
• Partners have been involved in on-going discussions around
roles and the results of these are reflected in the Partnership
Agreement and draft Operational Programmes. Still under
negotiation with the EC
• LEP area ESIF Local Committees will bring together local
partners and drive the production and delivery of a strategy
reflecting the wider goals outlined in the areas’ Strategic
Economic Plan.
• The Managing Authority is responsible for managing the OP in
accordance with the principles of sound financial
management.

7. The Role of National & Local Governmental
Organisations in the Funding Process
• Government has established a Growth Programme Board (GPB) to act
as a shadow national Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) for the
England Growth Programme. Once the Programme moves into an
operational phase the GPB will act as the PMC for both the ERDF and
ESF ESI Funds
• The GPB will be supported by 39 Local Sub-committees – one for each
Local Enterprise Partnership area and chaired by partners
• LEPs and partners have developed local ESIF Strategies to ensure the
Programmes recognise local needs
• Managing Authorities will manage and administer the programme
• Delivery (as stated) will hinge on close working between Managing
Authorities and local partners

8. Community Led Local Development
(CLLD)
• Negotiating with the EC on exact scope and shape of
CLLD.
• Would build upon the LEADER model; Managing
Authorities (MAs) are seeking to extend the model to ERDF
for the first time.
• A form of ‘double devolution’, where LEP areas and the MA
are able to support projects targeted by the local
community.
• Some LEP areas have incorporated CLLD projects in their
ESIF Strategies. Next steps are to negotiate with EC and
agree the practical issues of running these projects.

9. Financial Instruments
• Have proved their value on current 2007-13 programme and likely to
form around a quarter the 2014-20 programme
• Access to Finance: equity, loans and mixed investment to SMEs.
Building on existing JEREMIEs and adding new Funds
• Urban development and energy efficiency: Urban Development
Funds to create/refurbish urban infrastructure through urban
regeneration and low carbon projects
• Social housing and low carbon retrofit: revolving loan fund
• Local Impact Funds: promoting investment into the social economy
through loans to Social Sector Organisations

10. Funding priorities
What are we looking for:
• Added value
• Value for money demonstrated
• Aligned to wider area strategies
• The right partners involved
• Evidence of commitment to delivery of the strategy and readiness (and
capacity) of partners to invest resources
• National minimum spend and output targets met
• Well profiled
• Eligible!

11. ESI Funds, Partnership Agreement and Operational Programmes):
LEP network (including how LEP are working with Growth Deals):
European Funding Network (LEP Area ESI Fund Strategies):
europeanfundingnetwork.eu/news/how-leps-are-engaging-with-the-sector
Dr Carol Sweetenham
Deputy Director
For more information:
www.gov.uk
www.lepnetwork.net/
Department for Communities and Local Government