ESEP Download Resources : UP-date March 2009
Welcome to the March 2009 issue of UP-date, the e-Newsletter for the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programmes
PROGRAMME NEWS
Second Round Awards
Advisory Group recommendations for funding of projects in the Second Round of the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland European Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund Programmes were considered by the Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) at its meeting on 18 March 2009. The PMC’s recommendations for funding will be considered by Ministers and as soon as Ministerial decisions on project awards are made, ESEP will send out an email alert to all contacts. Details of all successful projects will be made available on the latest news page.
OTHER NEWS
EU Territorial Cohesion Green Paper - Future of Regional Policy
The European Commission has carried out a public consultation on Territorial Cohesion with a view to reaching a common understanding of how to better exploit European territorial diversity to deliver growth, sustainable jobs and competitiveness. Consultation on the Green Paper concluded at the end of February, with around 350 responses submitted from a wide range of bodies including national governments and parliaments, regional and local authorities and EU-wide interest groups. There is a consensus among respondents for:
- more strategic and flexible territorial co-operation
- a more practical approach to policy implementation on the ground, taking account of territorial diversity
- better co-ordination between the EU's policies and a 'multi-level governance' approach
- improved understanding of territorial processes
Next steps in the debate on the future of regional policy include:
- ‘Future of Cohesion Policy and Territorial Cohesion’ conference being held in Prague on 26/27 March 2009
- The Barca report, an independent review of EU Cohesion Policy, will be published on 27 April
- Final results of the public consultation on the Green Paper will be presented in June 2009
Knowledge Scotland
Knowledgescotland.org is a new online resource for policymakers and Government stakeholders that focuses on food, health, environment and rural sectors. Five Scottish Research providers have launched this new programme that delivers new policy information and a schedule of events and activities
- Macaulay Land Use Research
- Moredun Research Institute (MRI)
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health
- SAC (Scottish Agricultural College)
- Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI)
The project, supported by Scottish Government, is designed to assist policymakers develop improved knowledge and understanding in the food, health, environment and rural sectors. The website contains information on upcoming events, and policy briefings on related areas of biodiversity, climate change, health and wellbeing, and sustainability.
One of the recent news items on the Knowledgescotland website features the visit of a group of MEPs and senior EU officials to MRI to learn more about its work.
Carbon Effective Buildings
In 2007, Ministers convened an expert panel under the chair of Lynne Sullivan, Director of Sustainability, Broadway Malyan Ltd, to look at ways to make homes and buildings more energy efficient. The Sullivan Report, 'A Low Carbon Building Standards Strategy for Scotland' made recommendations for enhancing the energy standards in building regulations towards a goal of zero carbon new buildings. The proposals which result from the Sullivan Report will be introduced in October 2010 by Scottish Government and look at ways to make homes and buildings more energy efficient. The new standards will reduce carbon emissions, create jobs and could save many householders and businesses money.
In 2010, building regulations will have reduced carbon emissions from new buildings by around 70 per cent compared to 1990 standards, the benchmark year for emissions. For example:
- An average office building constructed to 1990 standards would emit 105 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Constructed to 2010 standards it would emit 31 tonnes per year, a reduction of 70 per cent.
- A three bedroom detached house of 100 square metres constructed to 1990 standards would emit 6.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Constructed to 2010 standards it would emit 1.7 tonnes, a reduction of 73 per cent.
There will be a detailed consultation this summer on the best way to implement the new standards.
Scottish Investment Fund
The Scottish Investment Fund is a Scottish Government scheme which helps enterprising Third Sector organizations become more effective and efficient. The first awards from the scheme were announced on 26 February 2009 by Enterprise Minister Jim Mather.
The £30 million investment fund was launched by Ministers last summer to support established Third Sector organisations with the potential to grow their turnover or become financially sustainable. The fund is managed by Social Investment Scotland (SIS) on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Further information can be found at the Scottish Investment Fund website
EU SME Week - 6-14 May 2009
Throughout 2009, events will be taking place at European, national, regional and local level as part of EU SME Week, organized by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Enterprise. The Week aims to promote entrepreneurship and to inform small businesses about the support available for them at European, national and local level.. Further information can be found on the EU SME Week website
Eco-Innovation
The EU Eco-innovation Fund supports SMEs to develop innovative products, services and technologies that can make a better use of our natural resources and reduce Europe’s ecological footprint. There is nearly €200 million available to fund Eco-innovation projects between 2008 and 2013. The next round of funding will be launched at the Eco-innovation Information Day being held in Brussels on 20 April 2009.
