EU Structural and Investment Fund

Allocating EU funding for projects in the region to support our communities and drive growth

The Marches region was allocated approximately £95 million EU funding for the budget period 2014-2020 to support investment in research and innovation, SME competitiveness, the creation of a low carbon economy and employment, skills and social inclusion.

European Structural and Investment Fund

The Marches LEP benefitted from the following European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF):

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supports research and innovation, small to medium sized enterprises and creation of a low carbon economy. ERDF funded business support projects currently being delivered are detailed on the Marches Growth Hub Business Support Finder.
European Social Fund (ESF) supports investment in employment and skills and social inclusion to increase labour market participation, promote social inclusion and develop the skills of the potential and existing workforce. If you’re a businesses looking to access training and support for your workforce, visit the Marches Work & Training Tool. Current ESF projects being delivered may be found at within our Supporting Employers page.
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) supported rural businesses to start and grow and to improve knowledge and skills.

Information on Marches projects funded under the ESIF programmes may be found within the Project Update December 2019.

For information about ERDF contact:

Gary Spence
gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For information about ESF contact:

Alexia Heath (Employment and Skills)
aheath1@herefordshire.gov.uk

Transparency

The ESIF committee was appointed to oversee the programme and prioritise investments. It includes representatives from the business, education and skills, rural and voluntary and community sectors, the three local authorities and a representative from the LEP.

ESF in The Marches

The European Social Fund (ESF) works to help people improve their lives by learning new skills and finding better jobs, whilst promoting social inclusion. If you’re a businesses looking to access workforce training, visit the Marches Work & Training Tool here.

The Marches LEP area has been allocated around £42m from the ESF for 2014-2020 and has developed a range of priorities to put the money to best use.

Those priorities – drawn up in line with national guidelines – are:

Helping jobseekers and those who are disadvantaged overcome barriers to work and find lasting employment.
Ensuring young people can make the transition from school to work as smoothly as possible, and have access to vital training and developmental opportunities.
Helping those at risk of social exclusion because they are in disadvantaged groups or face multiple barriers to getting into the workforce.
Improving the skills of individuals to meet both their goals and the needs of the local economy through training, advice and support.
Ensuring training and education meets the needs of the local economy and involves the business community.