ESEP Download Resources : UP-date July 2008
Welcome to the July 2008 issue of UP-date, the e-Newsletter for the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programmes
PROGRAMME NEWS
€UROSYS Update
Over the past few months a live pilot of the new €UROSYS on-line system has been undertaken, covering existing Shadow Round projects in the Lowlands and Uplands Programmes as well as all projects to date under Highlands and Islands Programmes. The €UROSYS system will be open to all in July 2008, in time for the launch of the Lowlands and Uplands Second Application Round Events will be held to introduce new users to the €UROSYS system and provide practical guidance on how to complete Registration and Applications process. Events are planned across the Programme area. Full details on venues and how to register your place at one of the events can be found under Events
New Publicity Logos
The Scottish Government has released the new publicity logos for the Scottish European Structrual Fund Programmes. As a condition of grant the Structural Funds contributions to a supported project must be publicised. More information on use of the new logos and details of how to download versions of these are available under Publicity
Announcement of CPP Awards
On Friday 6 June 2008, John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, agreed the allocations of the European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) monies to the successful Community Planning Partnership (CPP) bids, submitted in the first round of the LUPS Programmes 2007-2013. Full details of the CPP allocations are now available.
OTHER NEWS
Launch of Rural Direct
A new service to help rural communities apply for a range of funding programmes was launched in June 2008. Rural Direct will aim to ensure communities reap maximum benefit from schemes aimed at tackling climate change, reducing waste and improving environmental management.
The Crofters' Commission and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) will operate the service, offering advice and support in the applications process. The assistance given will include information on what funding is available, support to achieve eligibility criteria and provide access to a computer where necessary to submit an application for funding. Programmes which Rural Direct can assist in the applications process include:
- Rural Priorities £800 million available up to 2013 for the sustainable economic future of Scotland's rural communities
- Climate Challenge Fund £18.8m over 3 years to help communities take local action to tackle the global threat of climate change
- Community Waste Fund £7.5m available over 3 years for innovative community projects aimed at fulfilling the ambition of a 'Zero Waste Scotland'
- Big Lottery Fund National Lottery funding to good causes, particularly aimed at community groups and projects that improve health, education and the environment.
More information on the new service is available on the Rural Direct website . Please also visit the ERDF Priority 4 - Rural Development section for more information on funding opportunities for projects under the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programmes.
Saltire Prize
The Scottish Government has created the opportunity to award one of the biggest international innovation prizes in history. In April 2008 First Minister Alex Salmond announced the Saltire Prize - a £10m challenge prize for advances in clean energy.
Scotland will challenge scientists and businesses around the world to tackle one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century in bringing the vast potential of alternative energy online years sooner than might otherwise happen. Scotland is particularly well-placed to do this given both its history and present reality of technological innovation and its vast reserves of renewables potential.
The Saltire Prize capitalises on Scotland's strengths and carries the potential for Scotland to advance its own economy and energy independence while making a substantial contribution to the world's most pressing challenges.
Further information on the Saltire Prize can be found on the Scottish Government website.
Gender Equality Scheme 2008-2011
Following the change of Government in May 2007 and consequent changes to the structure and policy approach the Scottish Government has revised and updated its Gender Equality Scheme. The work of the Scottish Government on equality encompasses age, disability, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation (often referred to as the 6 strands). This approach is shaped by legislation and by the strategic commitment to mainstreaming which lies at the heart of the Scottish Government's Equality Strategy.
Significant progress has been made in tackling discrimination and promoting equal opportunities through a number of routes including: legislation introduced through the Scottish Parliament; improving data, information and research; increasing consultation and dialogue with equality groups; raising awareness of equality through campaigns such as 'Domestic Abuse - There's No Excuse'.
The Gender Equality Scheme is available for download from the Scottish Government website.
Learning for Change
Setting up learning networks under the ESF 2007-201
Calls for Tender/Grants of Directorate general for Employment, Social Affairs & Equal Opportunities
The main purpose of trans-national cooperation is to contribute to employment policy and delivering reforms essentially through learning from other countries and regions by bringing together people. To support Trans-national Cooperation at EU level, this call aims at facilitating and strengthening transnational exchange and cooperation funded under the ESF Programmes through networking for capacity building and mutual learning between ESF managing and implementing bodies and strategic stakeholders.
The specific objective of this call is to develop sustainable networks on themes and issues relevant for delivering the Lisbon reform agenda. The key vehicle for speeding up these processes is the establishment of learning networks and communities of practice.
More information on the call for tender can be found on the European Commission website.
