By Phil Fiander of WCVA at WCVA's Annual Conference 2013.

1. EU Structural Funds
2014-2020

2. EU funding to the third sector
2007-13
• WEFO has funded 286 projects in total (£1.9bn grant
aid)
• Over £97m of EU funds have been committed to 45
projects led by the third sector
• In addition, third sector organisations have won over
£140m worth of contracts

3. Third sector impact 2007-13
Through their projects third sector lead sponsors are aiming to:
•
•
•
•
Work with 104,802 participants
Support 10,585 participants to enter employment
Assist 32,311 participants to achieve qualifications
Support 19,818 participants into further learning and 57,170 to
achieve a positive outcome
• Create 1,292 gross new jobs
• Create 157 new social enterprises
• Support 12,500 people to access services

4. EU Structural Funds in Wales 2007-2013
Less developed region
(Convergence)
More developed Region
(Competitiveness)

5. What’s new?
• Tackling poverty and social exclusion: 20% ESF ring-fenced
in WW&V and a new third cross-cutting theme
• ERDF ring-fenced to tackle key priorities: SME
competitiveness; research and innovation and energy
efficiency and renewable energy
• Concentration of ERDF resources on the above themes
(80% in East Wales and 50% in West Wales)
• New: Fund for the Most Deprived

6. Timetable and the building blocks towards 2014
European
Budget
Agreed Regulations
Adopted
Partnership
Agreement
Signed Programmes
Agreed
Should my
organisation
Projects lead a project?
Approved
Projects
Start:
January
2014?????

7. Project design
• Operational Programmes
• Guilford Review informs approach to deployment of
funds
• Economic Prioritisation Framework (EPF)
• ‘Backbone’ areas of activity
• Understanding Welsh Government initiatives is key e.g.
Department for Education & Skills proposals for adult
employment and skills strategic framework for delivery

8. Timetable
•
•
•
•
Operation Programmes agreed Sept 2013
Nov 2013 – WEFO publish key documents:
28th November Economic Prioritisation Framework
6 December 2013 – first meeting of 2014-2020 ESI
Funds PMC
• Start negotiations with Commission to enable SF
programmes to start early 2014.
• Early 2014 - European Commission approves
Operational Programmes
• Mid 2014 - Possible start

9. Applying for funding
• Single portal for applicants
• Delivery arrangements
– Lead sponsor
– Co-sponsor
– Contract deliverer
– Social innovation

10. What is WCVA doing?
• Engagement with the sector through Ministerial meetings,
the third sector European forum (3-SEF), Anti Poverty
Programmes Task Force and regional events
• Developing a number of projects that build on the good
work of the sector over the last programmes
• Supporting other third sector lead on projects where best
placed to do so
• Helping third sector organisations to identify and exploit
opportunities for contract delivery on the ground