Single Programme Funding
In 2000, the Government announced that from April 2002, all English Regional Development Agencies would operate in a Single Financial Framework. This framework is know as the Single Programme and has replaced 11 previous separate funding streams, amalgamating them into one funding stream with a single targetary framework.
Regional Development Agencies have introduced a new targetary framework from 2005/06 onwards that must be met through spend of Single Programme funds. The Partnership Secretariat have prepared an outputs training manual for partners information. If you would like an email or posted copy please contact the secretariat.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.
Training slides for SRPs May 05 CDEP Version 2.pdf (66 pages, 4418kb)
The new outputs have been developed nationally and will apply to all Sub Regional Partnerships. The new targets are:
- Job Creation – Number of jobs created or safeguarded.
- Employment Support – Number of people assisted to get a job.
- Business Creation – Number of new businesses created and demonstrating growth after 12 months and businesses attracted to the region.
- Business Support – Number of businesses assisted to improve their performance.
- Regeneration – Public and private regeneration infrastructure investment levered.
- Skills – Number of people assisted in their skills development as a result of RDA programmes.
Investment Plan
This is a 3 year document outlining proposals for Single Programme spend (up until March 2008). The document outlines the themes, under the categories people, place and business, which the Partnership will be focusing on to utilise Single Programme monies and deliver the RES. It also outlines key projects within the themes that the Partnership plan to develop over the coming period.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this information.
Single Programme Investment Plan 2005-08 PDF.pdf (53 pages, 610kb)
Projects outlined within the Investment Plan will link into the aims and objectives set out in both the RES and CDEP. The projects will also help deliver the outputs under the new targetary framework.
Although a percentage of Single Programme funds are spent on projects which are brought forward to the Partnership, the CDEP has become much more pro-active in commissioning projects. In order to aid this process, Single Programme funds have been used to implement Commissioning Frameworks for specific areas of the RES, for example RES 3 – Learning and Skills. Once produced, the framework allows the Partnership to seek projects which will help fill gaps in provision or will assist increased activity in areas which have been highlighted within the framework.
Donna Cook and Lindsey Crawford are the Secretariat contacts for Single Programme related enquiries and can be contacted on 0191 3833070 or contact us.
European Funds
The European Structural Funds are the main financial instruments through which the European Union provides financial assistance to regions. The structural funds operate in an integrated way in order to encourage economic and social cohesion. The structural funds which are available to County Durham are:
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Supports physical infrastructure and revenue projects such as business support.
The European Social Fund (ESF)
Supports vocational training projects, pre-vocational training projects, wage subsidy/employment support schemes and vocational guidance/counselling projects.
These funds are distributed by three objectives (two of which are available to County Durham) and four complementary Community initiatives.
The Priority Objectives
Objective 2
Objective 2 is mainly aimed at four types of areas facing serious structural difficulties: industrial, rural, urban, and areas dependent on fisheries. A total of 18% of the European population is covered, accounting for 11.5% of the Structural Funds. In the United Kingdom, Objective 2 covers 13.36m people, or 24% of the population.
Large areas of the North East are covered by Objective 2, including all of County Durham.
Objective 3
Objective 3 covers the whole of the UK with the exception of areas eligible under Objective 1. Objective 3 is aimed at modernising systems of training and promoting employment. The UK is allocated €4,568m for Objective 3. All areas of the North East, including County Durham are eligible for Objective 3.
The Community Initiatives
In addition to the above Objectives, the Union has also devised four special programmes, known as Community Initiatives, to find common solutions to problems affecting the whole Union. These four programmes absorb 5.35% of the budget of the Structural Funds.
Interreg III
Promotes cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, i.e. the creation of partnerships across borders to encourage the balanced development of multi-regional areas (financed by the ERDF). The UK is allotted €362m. County Durham is eligible for funding under Interreg.
Urban II
This programme concentrates its support on innovative strategies to regenerate cities and declining urban areas (financed by the ERDF). The UK is allotted €117m. There is an Urban programme covering areas of North East Durham and part of Sunderland.
LEADER+
Aims to bring together those active in rural societies and economies to look at new local strategies for sustainable development (financed by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, Guidance Section). The UK is allotted €376m. Large parts of West Durham are covered by a LEADER+ programme.
Equal
Seeks to eliminate the factors leading to inequalities and discrimination in the labour market (financed by the ESF). The UK is allotted €106m.
