East Midlands 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme

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The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen the economic and social cohesion across the 27 EU Member States by supporting economic development. Nine of England’s8217;s regions qualified for Competiveness & Employment funding under the 2007-13 Programme.

Under this Programme, the East Midlands region can receive up to €268m (£190m). The East Midlands 2007-13 Operational Programme Document outlines the investment priorities for the region:

Priority Axis 1– increase productivity through innovation & sustainable business practice

This priority will focus on increasing commercialisation of innovation and small to medium-sized enterprises in the regions priority sectors: transport equipment, construction, food and drink and health and in businesses with the growth potential to create higher value added products and services. It will include small and medium-sized enterprise engagement in research and development for emerging technologies and for innovation to improve resource efficiency.

Priority Axis 2 – Increasing sustainable economic and enterprise activity in disadvantaged communities

This focuses on stimulating economic and enterprise activity in the most disadvantaged areas of the region. The aim is to exploit the potential linkages to adjacent areas of economic growth, through a range of actions but will focus on enterprise and start-up activities. It is also intended to create new economic opportunities by building capacity, resources and support; reviving local infrastructure and environments, together with stimulating and supporting enterprises

For further information on the East Midlands Operational Programme, please see below

East Midlands Operational Programme

Leicester’s ERDF Local Investment Plan (2011-13)

Leicester City Council launched a £6.4m ERDF Call for Activity on Monday 5th September 2011. The call invited expressions of interest from applicants that can demonstrate they can contribute significantly to the achievement of Leicester City Council's ERDF Priority Axis 2 Local Investment Plan. The Programme's Priority Axis 2 (PA2) seeks to support sustainable economic and enterprise activity in disadvantaged communities. For further information on the priorities for investment go to www.leicester.gov.uk.

Leicester City's £8.3m ERDF Local Investment Programme 2011-13 sets out the priorities for investment under the East Midlands Operational Programmes Priority Axis 2.

It aims to provide support for activities that will increase employment/enterprise opportunities in areas within Leicester's Principal Urban Area that have high levels of deprivation and low levels of economic and enterprise activity.

Applications submitted for support under our ERDF Programme should aim to support the following activities:

increase the size and diversity of the enterprise base
stimulate market demand within localities and their market linkages to other areas
increase the level of private sector investment in disadvantaged communities
improve access to employment opportunities
improve the physical (green and built) environments/attractiveness of deprived areas where needed to encourage businesses into the area.

The process is now closed to new EOI's but for those who did submit before the deadline timelines are as follow, see below:

Item	Description	Time Scale
Launch of Call	Application process published	Monday 5^th September 2011
Completion of EOI	EOI’s8217;s must be submitted (signed hard-copy and electronic copy) to Mary-Louise Harrison (see Section 14 of the ERDF Local Guidance Notes))	Friday 14th October 2011 (2:00pm)
Completion of First Stage Check	Completion of strategic appraisals including endorsement in principle by LCC	Friday 11^th November 2011
Invitation to 2^nd Stage	Telephone call followed by formal letter	Friday 11^th November 2011
Completion of full applications	Applications must be submitted (signed hard-copy and electronic copy) to Mary-Louise Harrison (see Section 14 of the ERDF Local Guidance Notes)	Friday 2nd March 2012 (2:00pm)
Project Approval	CLG are the Accountable Body for ERDF and responsible for final project appraisal	Appraisals will take between 12 weeks and 20 weeks to complete[1]

[1] Applicants should note that this time frame will be affected by how quickly applicants respond to requests for further information during the process. As a general rule projects should aim to turn queries around within 5 working days

For links to further information and ERDF form, see information below:

Leicester’s ERDF Local Investment Plan 2011-13

Leicester ERDF Local Guidance for Application Document

EOI Form

EOI Assessment Framework

WNF EOI Form

Priority Axis 2 Applicant Guidance

Project Management Guidance Notes

Contact: Mary-Louise Harrison

Senior Economic Regeneration Officer (European Lead)

Regeneration Programmes

Leicester City Council