Introduction
European Structural Funds are the main instrument for tackling regional
disparities and supporting regional development throughout the European
Union (EU). The funds break down into two key areas - the European Social
Fund (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). ESF is aimed
at improving employment opportunities in the target region whereas ERDF is
focused on developing the target region through regeneration, providing
business support and encouraging innovation.
For almost 10 years, GOL has been involved in the administration of two
programmes benefiting directly from these European Structural Funds - the
London Objective 2 Programme 2000-6 and the London Objective 3 Programme
2000-6. Both these programmes obtained ESF funding but, in addition, the
Objective 2 Programme also obtained ERDF money. The programmes ended on 31
December 2006, although spending by some projects funded by them continued
until 31 December 2008, and are now in their formal closure phase
(something that must be completed by 31 March 2010). However, London
continues to benefit from EU Structural Funds under the 2007-2013 European
Programmes which are being administered by the London Development Agency.
London Objective 2 Programme 2000-6
The Objective 2 Programme secured around £170m ERDF and £20m
ESF funding. Its aim was to redress imbalances in London’s economy by
tackling barriers to economic opportunity in key areas suffering industrial
decline, low economic activity and social exclusion and develop new
sustainable opportunities to those living and working in the programme area
consisting of:
- West London – Seven wards in the west London boroughs of
Hammersmith and Fulham, Brent and Ealing
- Upper Lee – Twenty seven wards in the north London boroughs of
Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest
- Inner East – Fifty wards in the City Fringe boroughs of Hackney,
Newham and Tower Hamlets
- Outer Thames Gateway – Eleven wards in Greenwich, Bexley, Barking
and Dagenham and Havering
The programme was administered by GOL on behalf of Communities and Local
Government. The programme’s monitoring committee, the London European
Programmes Committee, was composed of representatives from key stakeholders
and was responsible for overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the
programme.
London Objective 3 Programme 2000-6
The Objective 3 Programme obtained around £485m of ESF funding. It
was pan-London in scope and its aim was to address the key issue of skills
development to enhance employment opportunities.
The programme was administered by GOL, which undertook its day to day
management, on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. The
programme’s monitoring committee, the London European Programmes
Committee, was composed of representatives from key stakeholders and was
responsible for overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the
programme.
Key achievements
- London has benefited to the tune of approximately £645m from EU
Structural Funds through the 2000-6 Objective 2 and Objective 3 Programmes.
- The value to London of these programmes was considerably higher due to
match funding provided by private, public and voluntary sector
organisations from within London.
- The programmes have helped address some of the key barriers to economic
opportunity, urban deprivation and social exclusion.
- Over 360 projects benefited from the Objective 2 (ERDF) Programme which
provided for:
-
- over 14,000 new & 30,000 existing businesses receiving
advice and support
- the creation of over 10,000 new jobs
- the safeguarding of over 18,000 existing jobs
- the upgrading of over 140,000m² of business space
- the reclamation of over 80 hectares of derelict land
- supporting businesses develop new products and processes
relating to technological innovation or environmental technology
The Objective 2 (ESF) Programme funded over 100 projects to help more than
21,000 beneficiaries gain new, or improve existing, skills and thereby
enhance their employment prospects.
The Objective 3 Programme funded over 850 projects that helped more than
750,000 Londoners gain new, or improve existing, skills and thereby enhance
their employment prospects.
Examples of projects benefiting from European
Structural Funds
Below are some examples of projects successfully completed that give some
idea of the variety of schemes benefiting directly from European Structural
Funds.
