2007-2013 Programmes : Introduction
Over recent decades, Scotland has benefited from billions of pounds in EU Structural Fund grants.
These have supported regional regeneration through support for SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), and helping people into jobs.
Enlargement of the EU and the admission of new Member States with very different and, in many cases, more challenging development needs means radical changes in the funding regime.
In broad terms, overall funding to Scotland from the Structural Funds will total around €820m in the period 2007-2013. This is roughly half the level of funding provided in the previous 2000-2006 round, and the eligibility rules for projects have been made much tougher.
However, this still adds up to a substantial amount of money, capable of making a real difference to Scotland's economy and society. It may also be the last major inflow of money that comes to Scotland from these funds. It is therefore vital to encourage the development of good, well thought-through projects that can satisfy the new priority criteria governing the funds.
There are two Programmes for Lowlands and Uplands Scotland.
- The European Social Fund (ESF) Programme
- The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme
