ESEP Download Resources : UP-date January 2009
Welcome to the January 2009 issue of UP-date, the e-Newsletter for the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programmes
PROGRAMME NEWS
Second Application Round
Following the technical and eligibility checks undertaken by the IAB all revised applications have noe been submitted by project sponsors. Members of the Advisory Groups have been forwarded copies of the relevant applications for scoring, to be completed by 23 January 2009.
A Standing Advisory Group for each Priority will meet next month to review the scores and make their final recommendations on applications to the Programme Monitoring Committee on 18 March. The dates for the Standing Advisory Groups are:
European Social Fund
Priority 1 17 & 18 February 2009
Priority 2 9 February 2009
Priority 3 12 February 2009
European Regional Development Fund
Priority 1 16 February 2009
Priority 2 20 February 2009
Priority 3 11 February 2009
Priority 4 13 February 2009
State Aid and Public Procurement
In an effort to support Member State action in tackling the economic downturn through rapid execution of major public investment projects, the European Commission has put measure in place to speed up procurement procedures. The EC has also adopted a temporary framework for State Aid to help Member States address the exceptional difficulties of companies to obtain finance in the current very difficult financial markets.
Full details of the recent changes to Public Procurement and State Aid regulations are available from the European Commission website.
OTHER NEWS
Commissioner Hübner in Scotland
Speaking ahead of a visit on 16 December 2008 to meet the First Minister, Alex Salmond, European Commissioner Danuta Hübner prasied the creative and constructive uses of EU funds in Scotland. Their talks focussed on the EU Cohesion Policy programmes in Scotland and the €200 billion European Economic Recovery Plan
During her visir, Commissioner Hübner also met with representatives from Clydebank College, Clydebank Rebuilt and Glasgow City Council for a tour of the Clydebank Regeneration area and delivered a keynote address on better governance at the Institut Français in Edinburgh. The full Press Release is available from the European Commission website.
Funding for Rural Projects
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, recently announced the distribution of £28.78 million to 450 projects to be funded in the third round of the Rural Priorities scheme
Increased support for small business
Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is the Scottish Government's main national scheme of financial assistance to industry is being extended across the whole of Scotland. It is aimed at encouraging investment and job creation in the Assisted Areas (AAs) of Scotland. Firms in areas of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Perth and Kinross previously excluded from RSA Tier 3 can now apply for support to help stimulate job creation and economic development projects.
Biomass heating scheme for small businesses
To assist with reaching European climate change targets and increase by tenfold the amount of renewables used for heating in Scotland the Government has introduced a £2 million scheme to increase the use of wood fuel used for heating. Applications are now being invited for the Scottish Biomass Heat Scheme, which will give grants of up to £100,000 to small and medium sized businesses to install renewable heating systems. More information can be found on the Wood Energy Scotland website
Games legacy plan
The Scottish Government has published an interim plan that outlines a vision of how the 2014 Commonwealth Games and other major sporting events can bring wide ranging benefits for Scotland. The plan details proposed programmes covering sport, education and learning, culture, volunteering, the greener agenda, business, tourism, skills and employment. Over the coming months, this will be developed into a full, detailed 2014 Games legacy plan that will be published in summer 2009.
Fairer Scotland Fund
Projects in Dundee supported by the Scottish Government's £435 million Fairer Scotland Fund are 'leading the way' in helping deliver jobs and financial advice to local people. The Programme involves local partners working together to overcome barriers to employment, one of the three key aims of the Fairer Scotland Fund, alongside regenerating disadvantaged communities and tackling poverty
