Liverpool City Council - European Structural Funds

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European Structural Funds

photo of trainees in industry and European Commission logo

Merseyside has been allocated more than 500 million euros of Structural Funds for the period 2007-2013.  This money will be used to make businesses more competitive, improve the economy, create jobs, and help reduce unemployment. 

Structural Funds must be matched by national funding from the UK Government and Government Agencies. This means that Structural Funds will bring more than 1 billion euros into the Merseyside economy during 2007-2013.

There are two types of fund available - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF).  The ERDF funds are managed on behalf of the UK Government by the North West Development Agency. The ESF funds are managed centrally by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).


European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

ERDF is used for supporting businesses, promoting innovation, building roads and premises, and accessing employment.  The activities that can be supported are agreed in advance between the EC and UK Government - these are set out in a document called "The North West Operational Programme".

The City Council has applied for ERDF to help deliver activity in support of its key aims of growing the economy and developing our communities.  Examples of activity and projects supported through ERDF include:-

  • building the new cruise liner terminal;

  • the arena & conference centre;

  • improvements to Edge Lane;

  • improvements to the city centre;

  • development of Liverpool Science Park;

  • support for social enterprise; and

  • creation of new businesses. 

More information on ERDF and the NW Operational Programme can be found at http://www.erdfnw.co.uk
  


European Social Fund (ESF)

ESF is used to provide training and skills for the workforce and to assist those who are out of work into employment.  Much of this activity is provided by Job Centre Plus (JCP) and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). 

The city council has fewer opportunities to access ESF but as part of its aim to empower our residents has secured funding from ESF to set up and run JET (Jobs, Education, Training) centres in neighbourhood areas across the city. 

More information on ESF can be found at http://www.esf.gov.uk