FAQs about the EU

1. What funds can voluntary and community groups draw from Europe?

Funds known as the Structural Funds. They are available for projects which aim to achieve economic and social cohesion in the EU. The overall target is for the funds to bridge the gap between the more and the less developed regions of the EU.

2. How many Structural Funds are there?

There are four.

1. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). To reduce regional disparities within Europe and promote development in regions which are lagging behind.
2. European Social Fund (ESF). To prevent and reduce unemployment.
3. European Agriculture Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). Supports rural development and improvement of agricultural structures.
4. Financial Instruments for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). To find a sustainable balance between fish resources and fishing.

Easy Guide to the Structural Funds

3. How much money is there and where is it?

Northern Ireland can access £870 million between 2000-2006 under the Structural Funds. This money has been allocated to the NI Community Support Framework.

4. Community Support Framework?

The Community Support Framework (CSF) aims to bring a transition to a more peaceful, stable, prosperous, fair and outward looking society sustained by a better physical environment. The CSF is delivered in two operational programmes:

1. NI Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity (BSP) 2000 - 2006
2. EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE II).

5. What do these two programmes do?

Building Sustainable Prosperity.

Northern Ireland is considered by the EU to be a region where development lags behind the rest of Europe. This is termed Objective 1 and basically means that a region obtains funding if they are below 75% of the overall Gross Domestic Product of the community average.

The aim of the funding is to create a more equal - and therefore competitive - Europe on the global stage.

Building Sustainable Prosperity is what is known as a Transitional Objective 1 Programme which means that the money committed to the programme will taper off towards 2006. The idea is that initiatives that receive money should become self-sufficient by this date. Government departments deliver the programmes.

There are five priorities.

1. economic growth and competitiveness.
2. employment.
3. urban and social revitalisation.
4. agriculture, rural development, forestry and fisheries.
5. environment.

For more detail go to www.dsdni.gov.uk/urb-reg/building-sus-pros.asp

EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE II)

A distinctive programme designed specifically for Northern Ireland and the border regions to tackle the legacy of The Troubles. It aims to encourage progress towards a peaceful and stable society and promote reconciliation.

There are two objectives identified in relation to the overall aim of this programme.

1. Addressing the legacy of the conflict (Objective 1)
2. Taking opportunities arising from peace (Objective 2)

Projects that apply for money must be specific in meeting these two objectives or they will not obtain funding. Various groups deliver the programme; government, Local Strategy Partnerships and Intermediary Funding Bodies eg Community Foundation.

There are five priorities.

1. Economic renewal.
2. Social integration, inclusion and reconciliation.
3. Locally based regeneration and development strategies.
4. Outward and forward looking region.
5. Cross border cooperation.

For more information go to the Special EU Programmes Body website.

6. What are Local Strategy Partnerships?

Every local council in Northern Ireland has a group which delivers PEACE II funding in their area. Their focus is:

• (Measure 3.1) Economic initiatives - developing the social economy
• (Measure 3.2) Human resource, training and development strategies.

7. Are there any more programmes relevant to my group?

Yes. There are special forms of assistance called Community Initiatives. They areimplemented primarily through the EU and complement the Community Support Framework.

There are four Community Initiatives.

1. Interreg III. Promotes cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation.
2. Leader +. Focuses on rural development.
3. Equal. Tackles discrimination and inequality in the work-place.
4. Urban II. Develops urban neighbourhood renewal.

For more information on the programmes and how to apply for them go to www.grant-tracker.org

8. If I apply for funding, who tracks my application?

A specific Implementing Body (group that delivers a specific programme eg Local Strategy Partnerships) is responsible for receiving applications, determining their success and monitoring and evaluating them.

Implementing Bodies are accountable to the Managing Authorities who administer and supervise the programmes for the EU.

Monitoring Committees have also been established to take an overview of the aims and implementation of the Operational Programmes of each Programme. Some specific duties include to:

• review the progress towards achieving the specific objectives of the Programme
• examine the results of implementation, particularly the achievement of targets set.

These monitoring committees ensure fairness and equality and represent a number of different sectors including:

• local elected representatives
• business and industry
• community and Voluntary
• agriculture and rural
• environment and equality.