Questions and answers about structural funds
- What are the Structural Funds?
- When will the Structural funds run?
- What are Objectives 1, 2 and 3?
- Which areas are covered in the UK under Objective 1?
- What will the Objective 1 programme support?
- What sort of measures might be covered in an Objective 1 area?
- Do you want to find out more about one of the Objective 1 areas?
- How much EAGGF money is available in Objective 1?
- Can I apply for an EAGGF Objective 1 grant for any purpose?
- How can I apply for an EAGGF Objective 1 grant?
- When can I apply?
- What happens after I have applied?
- If I am successful how will I hear the result?
- What if my project is rejected?
- What if I run into problems during my project?
- How will I be paid?
- Who can I contact for more information?
- How can I find out what is going on in my local area?
- Which Projects are eligible?
What are the Structural Funds?
The Structural Funds are monies made available by the European Union and co-funded by Governments and the private sector. There are three Objectives under the new Structural Funds (and a programme called LEADER+: More information on LEADER+) and they will finance socio-economic development programmes designed to help alleviate structural difficulties in the 15 European Union member states. The new programmes will involve a greater degree of concentration (both geographic and financial) and have more devolved management structures (to regional levels).
The Structural funds are financed from:
- The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) managed by ODPM in the UK;
- The European Social Fund (ESF) managed by Dfee in the UK;
- The Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) managed by Defra in the UK, and
- The European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) managed by Defra in the UK.
When will the Structural funds run?
The funds will run from 1 January 2000 until 31 December 2006.
What are Objectives 1, 2 and 3?
Under the new Structural Funds there are three Objectives:
- Objective 1: promoting the development and structural adjustment of regions whose development is lagging behind;
- Objective 2: supporting the economic and social conversion of areas facing structural difficulties;
- Objective 3: supporting the adaptation and modernisation of policies and systems of education and employment. These projects are being run by the Dfee.
Which areas are covered in the UK under Objective 1?
Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly have been designated as Objective 1 of the Structural Funds.
What will the Objective 1 programme support?
For Objective 1, the areas that have been designated to receive support have drawn up a programme of support (a Single Programming Document or SPD) for that area. The Objective 1 areas will fund project based support activities which bring about social economic and environmental development, as identified in each regional SPD.
What sort of measures might be covered in an Objective 1 area?
The programme of support (Single Programming Document or SPD) sets out proposals in line with support measures available under the Rural Development Regulation (EC Council Regulation 1257/99) where these are funded by the Guidance Section of EAGGF. These include measures for rural development, training, processing and marketing and energy crops.
Do you want to find out more about one of the Objective 1 areas?
How much EAGGF money is available in Objective 1?
The amount of money available over the seven-year programme from the EAGGF (Guidance) for the 2000-2006 programme is as follows:
- Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly: 79 Million Euro
- South Yorkshire: 23 Million Euro
- Merseyside: 5.5 Million Euro
This is matched by an equivalent amount of public sector spending. All schemes under the Objective 1 programme seek to attract private sector contributions in addition.
Can I apply for an EAGGF Objective 1 grant for any purpose?
There are a number of restrictions that apply to aid from government sources. Aids on investment in agricultural holdings should contribute to the improvement of agricultural incomes and of living, working or production conditions:
- to reduce production costs;
- to improve and/or redeploy production;
- to increase quality;
- to preserve and improve the natural environment, hygiene conditions and welfare standards; and/or
- to promote diversification activities.
Further information on state aid restrictions can be obtained from your local Objective 1 Secretariat in your local Government Office.
However, each region has selected the sorts of measures that are most appropriate.
How can I apply for an EAGGF Objective 1 grant?
You may apply for an EAGGF grant by obtaining, completing and returning the appropriate application form to your local Defra Secretariat, or see below:
When can I apply?
The programme is now open to applications.
What happens after I have applied?
A sifting and scoring of project applications takes place. Formal applications returned to the Defra Secretariat will be initially checked by clerical staff, to make sure that the applications are clear and complete. The form is then assessed to see how well it fits into the locally identified needs as set out in each regional SPD. Technical Assessments will also be undertaken of projects. A local committee, called the Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC), will then select the most appropriate projects for funding. If your project includes a forestry or energy crops measure, the Forestry Commission undertakes any technical assessment.
If I am successful how will I hear the result?
The Defra Secretariat will send out an Offer Letter which will set out the conditions of offer, agreed expenditure profile (normally on a quarterly basis) together with agreed milestones, targets and indicators. These will be based on what you put into your proposal. If you agree with these conditions then you must sign and return this letter (which will form a binding contract).
What if my project is rejected?
The decision of the local Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) is final. However, if the Committee feels that your project was strong and only just failed, they will contact you. You are then encouraged to speak with them to see how you can improve your proposal and possibly re-submit.
What if I run into problems during my project?
Contact your local Defra Secretariat immediately so that we can discuss and try, if possible, to help you complete your project.
How will I be paid?
You should send your claims for reimbursement (on form EAGGF 10 in the Defra Application Forms section) to the Defra Secretariat where they will be processed.
Who can I contact for more information?
Details are available on our contacts page.
How can I find out what is going on in my local area?
You can find out what is going on in your area by contacting your local Defra Secretariat if you are interested in EAGGF grants or your local Government Office for ERDF or ESF grants. You can also see what is happening via each areas own website. Would you like to what is happening in: -
1 November, 2007Which projects are eligible?
Please see the Regional Measures pages.
Page last modified:
1 November, 2007
Page published: 10 December, 2002