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European Union - European Regional Development Fund

European Union - European Social Fund - Investing in jobs and skills

Introducing Competitiveness, by Jon Bright

The first year of any new programme is often the most challenging, with new targets to meet and systems to put in place; but it can also be the most rewarding as investments in the future of the South West begin to take shape.

As a partnership we must ensure the progress and positive results achieved under the previous EU programmes continues, and is developed upon. I have been impressed at how smoothly and quickly we have managed the transition from Objective Two Programme to the Competitiveness Programme, and how the pipeline of investment has been building up over the past year.

Moving forward, each of us has a key role in helping to turn programme strategy into the delivery of key investments, against one of the most challenging economic backdrops for many years. We all have spending targets to meet, but we must ensure the things we invest in have the strong strategic focus the programme requires, to really make an impact in the region.

Finally, we need to create a compelling narrative of the programme's successes and challenges, so that we can share this journey with our Stakeholders in Brussels and London, and even more importantly with the people of the South West of England. Hopefully this newsletter will begin to do just that and I look forward to sharing our successes with you as the programme continues.

European Regional Development Fund

European Funding to boost knowledge economy in the South West
The development of a leading knowledge-based economy in the South West has been given a further boost with European funding to help higher education and companies work together to support business growth and stimulate new enterprise in the region's economy.

New Loan Fund for South West Business
As part of the drive for economic recovery, the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) has announced the launch of a new £10m South West Loans Fund which is now available to help growth-oriented business with viable business plans. Of this £5m is available in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and £5m for the rest of the region.

Meet the team
The South West RDA's Competitiveness team is responsible for the effective delivery of investment through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) South West Competitiveness and Employment Programme.

European Social Fund

The extra £55 Million from the Exchange rate revaluation - what are the plans?
The weakness of the pound may have curtailed many opportunities for overseas holidays this year but it has resulted in at least one notable benefit - the revaluation of just how much European Social Fund money will be available for use in the UK. We have spoken to Mark Williams, Learning Skills Council (LSC) ESF Skills Development Manager, and Christine Vine, Jobcentre Plus South West ESF Manager, to explore just how the region will be investing its share of this estimated £55m 'windfall'.

Protecting Apprenticeships through the Downturn - Focus on Construction
A group that can all too easily be forgotten in a recession is apprentices. The future skills needs of the region are dependent upon a functioning National Apprenticeship Service delivering many thousands of trained individuals each year. So just what steps are being taken to ensure apprentices who lose their jobs are still able to train? We spoke to ConstructionSkills to explore just how the already heavily hit construction sector has responded to this challenge.

ESF - Works
Following the success of the EQUAL-Works website (designed to disseminate the outputs and best practice from the EQUAL ESF Programme), a new initiative has evolved - 'ESF Works'. Similar in style and content to its precursor but with a few twists...

Though ESF-Works is still in the design phase, progress has been swift and with the very recent appointment of Chrissie Upton to cover the South West, now is a good time to highlight this interesting development.

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For further information about the Competitiveness programme in the South West, please email: competitiveness@southwestrda.org.uk or call 01752 234 828.

South West RDA, North Quay House, Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, PL4 0RA