EU funding in Wales 2014-2020Phil Fiander

Director of Programmes Wales Council for Voluntary Action

www.wcva.org.uk 0800 2888 329 help@wcva.org.uk

• Third sector projects 2007-2013

• Partnership arrangements for Programme design

• Key messages for Welsh consultation on draft Operational Programmes

Delivery of the 2007-13 structural funds:

A shift from small projects to larger more “strategic” ones

A shift from a grant based delivery mechanism to a procurement mechanism

Development of partnership projects

WCVA Projects and Solutions 2007-13

• 3SET (Technical assistance support programme)

• Gateway

• Intermediate Labour Market

• Communities Investment Fund

Third sector projects 2007-2013

• Approx. £328m 9% of the total approved of EU + match funding has been committed to third sector projects– £212m to 46 third sector lead/joint sponsors (direct bids)– £116m third sector contracted delivery

• Transport, heritage, community buildings, community economic development, social enterprise support, youth, employment, skills.

Programme design• European Programmes Partnership Forum• Supported by work streams:

– Operational Programmes– Delivery & Compliance– Monitoring & Evaluation– Territorial Co-operation

• Integrated approach: ERDF, ESF, EAFRD, EMFF

• Public consultation on draft OPs Jan-April 2013

Draft Structural Funds Programme PrioritiesWe welcome:• The degree of continuity with the current

programme priorities• A clear commitment to working with the third sector• Anti poverty and social exclusion as a theme• Financial instruments• Transnational co-operation

Draft Structural Funds Programme Priorities

We are concerned about:• The total size of the funding pot• Project delivery in East Wales• Anti-poverty and social exclusion• No ERDF Priority for community regeneration• Community-led local development• Integration of funds (ERDF/ESF/EAFRD/EMFF)• Delivery mechanisms are crucial

Recommendations1. Work with WCVA and third sector networks to facilitate

involvement in design, commissioning and delivery

2. Ring-fence 20% of ESF for tackling poverty and social exclusion (in addition to CCT)

3. Ring fence 5% of ERDF for CLLD

4. Create a dedicated ERDF Priority for social enterprise

5. Create a dedicated Priority for transnational co-operation

6. Create a single PMC covering all EU funds

7. Continue to support Technical Assistance for third sector

Key concerns

• Harmonisation of rules and regs• Shift the balance from ‘doing things right to

doing the right things’• Match funding• Role for the third sector – sponsor/deliverer• Advance payments• Audit• Procurement and competitive grants