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ESEP Download Resources : UP-date August 2008

Welcome to the August 2008 issue of UP-date, the e-Newsletter for the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programmes

PROGRAMME NEWS

Second Application Round Deadlines

Following the launch of the new €UROSYS on-line system applicants are reminded of the dates for the Second Application Round under the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programmes.

Registration of Organisations

To apply for European Structural Funds all organisations must register on the new €UROSYS online system.  By completing the registration process organisations establish their ability to apply for funds. Applicants are reminded that the deadline for Registration of Organisations by Second Round applicants is Friday 8 August 2008

Availability of Funds

Potential applicants for the second and future rounds of funding under the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programmes should be aware of the current level of funds available under each Priority.  There are a number of Priorities that are already realising high commitment levels after the first round of funding.  Details of the current commitment levels for ERDF and ESF are now available.

LUPS Eligible Areas

The annual stock-take of the statistics that form the basis for ‘spatial' targeting in the ESF and ERDF Lowlands and Uplands areas was completed on 30 June 2008.  The stock-take shows that the existing eligible local authority areas remain eligible to apply for the forthcoming year.  Scottish Ministers have therefore agreed that eligible areas will remain the same, until next year's stock-take in June 2009. The spatially targeted areas apply to:

Progress Reports and Claims

Successful project sponsors from the First Application Round of the Lowlands and Uplands Scotland Programme will be contacted shortly to confirm the date of the launch of the Progress Reports on €UROSYS.  Individuals from these organisations involved in the compilation and submission of Progress Reports and Claims will receive information on workshops to be held in late August-September 2008.  Details of these workshops will also be posted under Events

OTHER NEWS

Compendium of Labour Market Statistics

Scotland's Chief Statistician has published statistics from the Annual Population Survey, a boosted version of the Labour Force Survey that is the official source of many labour market and lifelong learning indicators for Scotland and local authority areas in Scotland.  This publication provides an annual summary of the data covering key indicators such as:

A summary of the main findings and details on how to download the full Annual Population Survey are available from the Scottish Government website

Skills Development Scotland

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) came into operation on 1 April 2008.  The four partner organisations that have come together to form SDS are:

As Scotland's new skills body, the SDS has brought together a shared vision to drive forward real, positive and sustained change in Scotland's skills performance. Through this merger Scotland now has a dynamic, forward-looking organisation which will deliver comprehensive information, advice and guidance for careers and learning as well as extensive support for skills development.  For more information visit the Skills Development Scotland website.

Renewable Energy Potential Feasibility Study

A feasibility study into offshore renewables and grid potential is to be conducted by the Scottish Government in partnership with the Government of Ireland and Northern Ireland Executive.  Energy Minister Jim Mather said the study would explore the potential for the transmission of electricity generated by offshore renewables off the west coast of Scotland, the north and east coasts of Northern Ireland, the Irish Sea and the west coast of the Republic of Ireland. 

In June 2008, the partnership successfully applied for INTERREG funding towards the cost of a full feasibility study.  The study is estimated to cost £1.6m and will explore technological, economic, construction and regulatory factors associated with the development of such an offshore transmission network.  The full news release on the ISLES (Irish-Scottish Links on Energy Study) project to be launched later this year can be found on the Scottish Government website

Celebrating 20 years of Cohesion Policy

It is 20 years since the EU adopted the first regulation grouping together already-existing funds under the banner of a genuine 'Cohesion Policy'. With an ever-increasing allocation of the European budget afforded to the policy, its importance has been consistently underlined.

Twenty years later, the bjective of delivering economic and social cohesion across the EU remains true, with the draft Lisbon Treaty proposing to broaden the scope to include a new territorial dimension. The policy has also adapted to respond to new challeges by radically  shifting its investment priorities towards research and innovation, and measures to combat climate change.

To celebrate the occasion, a special anniversary event was held in the Museum of Arts and History in Brussels on 24 June. Commissioner H übner welcomed around 500 invited guests, with President Barroso providing the keynote speech followed by a panel debate including Commissioners H übner and Spidla and representatives of the other EU institutions.

You can read more about the Cohesion Policy anniversary in the latest edition of the EU Panorama magazine

 

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