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Planning a new EU funded Programme

Members and staff of the S&E Regional Assembly attending the 2012 Members' workshop, held in the Brandon House Hotel, New Ross, Co. Wexford. Jim Campbell, Photography Wexford

Planning for the next round of European Union (EU) funded programmes started at the Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly (S&E) members’ workshop on Friday and Saturday 27th & 28th January. The workshop was held in the Brandon House Hotel, New Ross, Co. Wexford. 

The members of the Assembly drawn from the 20 local authorities comprising the region examined the proposed EU regulations and heard from the executive of the Assembly the suite of measures that potentially could be included in the next regional programme. The Commission’s proposed regulations provide a framework for the type of activities deemed eligible for funding. For the next round of funding the Commission is placing an emphasis on a number of areas to include investment in research & innovation, competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and measures that allow a shift towards a low-carbon economy. The programme rules stipulate that a percentage of programme budgets should also be ring fenced for investment in sustainable urban development.

Regional Programmes in the S&E region received funding under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for a number of programming periods and results are evident on the ground in terms of the provision of broadband infrastructure, investment in third level institutes, improvement in drinking water quality and roads infrastructure to mention just a few of the areas targeted for funding. The City and County Enterprise Boards a mainstay of support for many micro enterprises in will continue to form a core part of any programme delivered in the region.

Preparatory work for the next programme which commences with the input from the members of the Regional Assembly will continue advised Stephen Blair, Director of the S&E Regional Assembly ‘with input from Government departments and agencies and is set to be a source of much valued funds for the region into the future, particularly at this time of scarce public resources’.

Cllr. Tomas Breathnach, Cathaoirleach of the S&E Regional Assembly, who chaired the members’ workshop, welcomed the opportunity for the Regional Assembly to actively participate in the shaping of the future Regional Operational Programme.