EAPN Ireland Briefing

January 2009 EAPN Ireland Briefing Guide to EU Structural Funds 2007-2013 CONTENTS What do the EU Structural Funds do? How is the Structural Funds Organised for 2007-2013? o At EU level o In Ireland Social Inclusion the Irish Operational Programmes o Regional Operational Programmes o Human Capital Investment (ESF) Operational Programme o PEACE III o INTERREG (interregional) Programmes which involve Ireland Conclusion Key websites One of the most frequently-cited benefits of Ireland s membership of the European Union is the Structural Funds. From this Ireland has received large amounts of money mostly spent through the National Development Programme, the Peace Programme and community initiatives like EQUAL, INTERREG, URBAN and LEADER. This Guide to the Structural Funds aims to inform EAPN Ireland members about the current round of Structural Funds, how they are organised, how they can address social exclusion and some limited opportunities whereby anti-poverty organisations can access funding under these programmes. What do EU Structural Funds do? The Structural Funds were created to help those regions within the European Union whose development is lagging behind. The aim is to reduce the differences between regions and create a better economic and social balance within the EU. Structural Funds are used by the European Union to support: a) Economic development in the poorer regions of the EU b) Social development for excluded groups across the EU. The EAPN s objective is to ensure that the Structural Funds are used to address poverty and social inclusion. In Ireland, a broad range of areas have benefited from Structural Funds. Among these are the construction of schools, public transport and other social infrastructure, childcare, community and local development, training and employment schemes, adult and community educational programmes, and other projects which had a clear social inclusion outcome. How are the Structural Funds Organised for 2007-2013? At EU Level The Regulations at EU level outline the structures and rules and include a General Regulation and Regulations for each of the funds which are: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) provides support for a broad range of mainly social and economic infrastructural activities, including broadband and communications, urban development and transnational/interregional activities. European Social Fund (ESF) funds training, employment and social inclusion initiatives Cohesion is a special fund used mainly for road and other infrastructure in peripheral regions. Ireland will not benefit from this Fund from 2007. During the period 2007-2013 these funds are to be used to achieve three objectives: 1. Objective 1: Convergence (for less developed regions and not including Ireland) 2. Objective 2: Regional competitiveness and employment (All other regions) 3. Objective 3: European territorial cooperation (Border regions, inter-regional and transnational co-operation programmes. The Peace Programme is funded under this Objective. 1

There are no Community Initiatives in the 2007-2013 Structural Funds period which involved funding coming more directly from the EU. However, INTERREG (Inter-regional) is now reflected in the new Objective 3, URBAN (urban initiatives) is to be catered for under a focus on cities under Objective 2 and LEADER (rural development) has been moved out of Structural Funds and is funded as part of the new EU European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) which is to be delivered through Rural Development Strategy and Plan at national level. EQUAL, (a community initiative which ran during the 2000-2006 period addressing inequality, discrimination and exclusion in the labour market, is to be mainstreamed within the ESF programme at national level. Other key features of the Structural Fund Regulations Partnership Principle: Article 11 of the General Regulation names civil society and non-governmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting equality between men and women as partners who are to be involved at all stages of the Structural Funds Programmes. Social Inclusion is named within the Regulations generally but more specifically addressed in the European Social Funds. Measures should be taken to promote Gender Equality and combat discrimination (on a range of grounds) in all activities which take place under the Structural Funds. One of the key elements of the reform of the Structural Funds is their simplification. This means that the level of financial and programme monitoring and supervision by the Commission is reduced and Member States will have greater freedom to decide how the new Structural Funds operate nationally. In order to guide Member States Community Strategic Guidelines (CSG) have been developed in consultation with Member States that spell out in detail the Commission s priorities for the Structural Funds. At least 75% of the funding has to be spent on priorities linked to the Lisbon Growth and Jobs Agenda and the National Reform Programme. In Ireland In the previous three rounds of Structural Funds (1989-1993, 1994-2009 and 2000-2006) Structural Funds in Ireland were always integrated into the Irish National Development Plans (NDP) which covered the same periods. However, from 2007 2013 the Structural Funds and the NDP are separate programmes. The overall managing body for both the NDP and Structural Funds Programmes in Ireland is still the Department of Finance. In the past Ireland qualified for funding under Objective 1, which goes to more disadvantaged regions. In the last programme the country was divided into two regions, the Southern and Eastern Region (S+E) and the Border Midland and Western (BMW) Region, so that the BMW Region could qualify for Objective 1 funding. During this round no Irish region qualifies for Objective 1 funding and therefore the overall EU allocation for Ireland in 2007-2013 is smaller than previously falling from 3.7m in 2000-2006 to approximately 882m. The NDP 2007-2013, which is almost completely funded from Irish sources, is worth nearly 184bn. Based on the EU Community Strategic Guidelines each Member State has to draw up their National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) which outlines their national priorities. The NSRF in turn is the basis on which each Member State drew up their Operational Programmes. The Operational Programmes (OPs) for Ireland for 2007-2013 are: South and East Regional OP Border, Midland and Western (BMW) Regional OP Human Capital Investment (European Social Fund) OP Cross Border/Interregional OPs including the PEACE III Programme, INTERREG IVa (Cross- Border) Operational Programmes: (i.) Northern Ireland, Scotland and Border region of Ireland; (ii.) Ireland-Wales, and INTERREG IVB (Inter-regional) Programmes: (i.) Atlantic Area; (ii.) Northern Periphery Countries; and (iii.)north West Europe. All OPs, apart from the Human Capital Investment OP, are funded through the ERDF. 2

Social Inclusion and the Irish Operational Programmes In terms of social inclusion in the OPs the key areas to look at are their objectives, the extent to which antipoverty organisations are represented on monitoring committees, how activities directly or indirectly address social inclusion, to what extent anti-poverty organisations can access funding through the OP, and finally if social inclusion and equality are horizontal issues and how these are monitored and reported on including the indicators that are used to monitor social inclusion outcomes It is clear that while NGOs are still represented on monitoring committees the Irish Structural Fund Programme 2007-2013 is less focused on social inclusion, and there are fewer opportunities for antipoverty groups to gain access to funds. Details of each operational programme, with an overview as to how they address social inclusion, are as follows. Regional Operational Programmes Border Midland and Western Southern and Eastern Regional Regional Operational Programme Operational Programme (S & E OP) (BMW OP) Managing Authority BMW Regional Assembly Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly Budget 571.897m (ERDF 228.758m) 681m (ERDF 146.603m) Priorities (Axis) 1. Innovation, Information and Communications Technology and the Knowledge Economy 2. Environment and risk prevention 3. Urban development and secondary transport networks Urban regeneration Key linking routes Public transport 4. Technical assistance 2 Community and Voluntary Reps on Monitoring Committee Cross-cutting Themes/Horizontal Principles How does the OP address social inclusion Funding opportunities for NGOs Irish Rural Link National Women s Council of Ireland 1. Innovation and the knowledge economy 2. Environment and accessibility 3. Sustainable urban development Gateway Challenge Fund Hub Challenge Fund Inter-Gateway o-operation Fund 4. Technical assistance Irish Social Finance Centre Sustainable development Equal opportunities (Gender and broad equality grounds) Social inclusion Annual reports should report on how these principles are addressed in Programme implementation Social Inclusion is not an overall objective and activities do not have a specific social inclusion objective. However priorities 1 and 3 of the BMW OP and priorities 1-3 of the S and E OP, have the potential to address social inclusion and will be covered in annual reporting on horizontal principles. None. Although under Priority Axis 3 capacity building and community development activities can be supported and community and voluntary organisations are named as beneficiaries. Under Priority 3 community development activities can be supported and community and voluntary groups are named as beneficiaries/target groups. Details are not finalised. Web addresses www.bmwassembly.ie www.seregassembly.ie 2 Technical Assistance if the funding used to support the implementation of programmes (???). In Ireland this all goes to the managing authorities but in some EU member states it goes to intermediary bodies including NGO s to support engagement with the Structural Funds. 3

Human Capital Investment (ESF) Operational Programme Managing Authority Budget Priorities (Axis) Community and Voluntary Reps on Monitoring Committee Cross-cutting Themes Horizontal Principles How does the OP address social inclusion Role of NGOs Funding opportunities NGOs Web address for ESF Unit, Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment 1,360m (ESF 373.36m) 1: Upskilling the workforce 2: Activation and a. Training of Employees participation of groups b. Increasing the number of outside the labour force Graduates to meet the needs of a. Supporting People with a the Economy Disability - National Skills Strategy b. Targeting Young People Supply of Technicians and Early School Leavers - ICT Undergraduate Skills - Youth reach Programme - Senior Traveller c. Third Level Access Training Centers - Fund for Students with a c. Basic Education Skills Disability d. Equality and Equal - Student Assistance Fund Opportunities d. Vocational Education and - National Women s Accredited Education Strategy - Back to Education Initiative - Equality Proofing - FAS- Skills Training for the - Equality mainstreaming Unemployed and Job Seekers e. Migrant Workers Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) 3.Technical Assistance Contribution of the priorities to: Interregional and transnational cooperation Innovation Life-long learning Industrial restructuring Social inclusion Gender equality and wider equal opportunities Sustainable development Priority 2 involves direct social inclusion objectives as a core element of all the measures. There are indirect objectives under Priority 1. There are also specific outcome indicators listed in Chapter 6 of the OP. Section 4.6 of the HCIOP outlines the role of NGOs. In particular the important role NGOs play in working directly with the most excluded in Irish society. It states that the managing authority will explore the opportunity for ESF funding to add value to present services by co-funding niche interventions particularly under Priority 2 and the transversal transnational and interregional cooperation theme. As the HCIOP funding is mainly targeted at existing programmes there are no new opportunities for anti-poverty groups to access the funds. Groups may be already receiving some funding through the delivery of ongoing activities through intermediate bodies, such as those delivering the Back to Education Initiative. However, HCIOP funding is being used to co-fund the Equality for Women Measure 3 which groups can access The Managing Authority is currently also looking at developing projects under the transversal themes of innovation and transnational/ interregional cooperation. This is related to the mainstreaming of EQUAL type activities focusing on innovation, transnationality and with a partnership approach. It is unclear yet what this will involve or to what extent non statutory organisations can lead or be involved in these activities. However, it will probably be innovative and transnational projects linked to the first two priorities of the OP. www.esf.ie 3 Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform link for Equality for Women Measure 2008-2013 http://www.justice.ie/en/jelr/pages/equality_for_women_measure 4

PEACE III Programme EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (Northern Ireland and Border Regions of Ireland) Managing Authority Budget Priorities Community and Voluntary Reps on Monitoring Committee Cross-cutting Themes How does the OP address social inclusion Role of NGOs Funding opportunities for NGOs Web address Special EU Programme Body 333m (ERDF 225m) 1: Reconciling Communities Building Positive Relations at local level Acknowledging and dealing with the past 2: Contributing to a shared society Creating shared public spaces Key institutional capacities are developed for a shared society 3: Technical assistance Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) Community Workers Cooperative (CWC) Cross-border cooperation Equality of opportunity Sustainable development Impact on poverty Partnership The overall priorities should have a positive impact and the cross cutting themes of equality of opportunity and impact on poverty should support this. The programme also states that activities will conform to the principles outlined in the relevant antipoverty strategies. Communities experiencing high levels of deprivation are prioritised under most actions and specifically people who have been excluded or marginalised from economic, social and civil networks as a result of problems related to sectarianism, racism and the conflict (this includes a focus on young people, women and older people and minority communities ). More specific projects at a local level are identified under Priority 1.i which highlights the challenges related to high levels of deprivation and to ethnic diversity and involves activities addressing sectarianism and racism. Priority 2.i will involve cross-community regeneration projects. NGOs can play a role particularly under Priority 1.i and Priority 2.i. The focus of these activities is to be based on a bottom-up approach. Funding is accessible to NGOs but in a much more limited way than in PEACE I and II. NGOs cannot apply directly for funding. Public Authorities, or their equivalents, must lead on projects. Under Priority 1 local authorities must establish partnerships and apply on this basis, NGOs can access funding through this partnership process. There will be calls for funding involving small numbers of larger projects as opposed to smaller projects as in PEACE I and II. Calls will be made on a rolling basis and some were closed in September 2008. http://www.seupb.eu/programmes.htm 5

INTERREG Programmes which involve Ireland Title Northern Ireland, Scotland and Border region of Ireland) - INTERREG IVA Ireland-Wales Programme INTERREG IVA North West Europe (INTERREG IVB) Northern Periphery Countries Atlantic Area Managing Special EU Southern and Eastern Regional Authority Programme Body Assembly Budget 256m (ERDF 192m) 70.26m (ERDF 52.7m) 696m(ERDF 355m) 59m (ERDF 35m) 159m(ERDF 104m) Priorities Community and Voluntary Reps on Monitoring Committee Cross cutting Themes How does the OP address social inclusion 1. Co-operation for a more prosperous cross border region 2. Co-operation for a sustainable cross border region. - Aims to improve access to services so as to enhance the quality of life for those living in the region. Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) Community Workers Cooperative (CWC) Equality Sustainable development Partnership Impact on poverty Based on the cross cutting themes resources and effort is to be targeted at the most socially disadvantaged people and areas. Priority 2 in particular has the potential to address social inclusion issues but it is unclear how this is to be achieved. 1. Knowledge, Innovation and Skills for Growth. i. Innovation and competitiveness ii. Skills for competitiveness and employment integration 2. Climate Change and Sustainable Regeneration. i. Climate Change and sustainable development ii. Sustainable regeneration of communities 3. Technical Assistance Children s Rights Alliance (Ireland) Wales Council for Voluntary Action. Equal opportunities Sustainable development While social inclusion is not a stated objective of the programme improving the overall social wellbeing of the region is. Under priority 1.ii. indicative operations include the development of social enterprises, innovative measures to address particular skills needs and joint programmed to integrate recently arrived immigrants and other disadvantaged groups into the mainstream labour force. Social Inclusion is not among the stated aims of any of these programmes. The most relevant elements of these programmes are: 1. Priority 4 of the NWE Programme is promoting strong and prosperous communities at transnational level. This includes: 6

Under Priority 2.ii. Indicative operations include active engagement of local communities in developing joint approaches to promote and facilitate social inclusion including the incorporation of migrants, linguistic minorities, those not in employment, education or training. i. the economic and social performance of cities, towns and rural areas and ii. the promotion of transnational responses to the issues of demographic change and migration. 2. Priority 2b of the Northern Periphery Programme relating to Urban-Rural Development and the promotion of heritage where services are an important element. Funding opportunities for NGOs Similar process to PEACE III, but possibly with more limited opportunities. Community and Voluntary groups and organisations are eligible to apply for funding and lead on projects. There are approximately 2 calls per year and a mini-grant of 500-750 is available to community and voluntary organisations to travel and develop partnerships called the WIN 2 scheme. Funding is available to non-statutory organisations but grants are large. Web address www.seupb.eu www.irelandwales.ie www.nweurope.eu/ www.northernperiphery.eu /en/home/ http://atlanticarea.inescpor to.pt/ 7

EU Structural Funds 2007-2013 Conclusion The Structural Funds continue to have a role in addressing social inclusion. However, the social inclusion focus is more limited than in previous programme periods. Social inclusion elements are mainly linked to access to training and employment, and the achievement of the Lisbon Growth and Jobs Agenda, although in some programmes where urban development and access to services are also a priority. The main programme which focuses on social inclusion outcomes is the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme under the ESF. In the limited number of opportunities where NGOs can access funding it is often not as lead partners but through partnerships led by statutory bodies. It is essential to ensure that the potential to achieve real social inclusion and equality outcomes from the structural funds is realised. This means that monitoring and evaluation structures must remain focused on how social inclusion outcomes are achieved through project selection and implementation. This is particularly important where social inclusion and equality are cross-cutting themes or priorities. There are areas where potential social inclusion outcomes exist which are often not recognised, such as in relation to support for Small and Medium Enterprises, Information and Communications Technology and transport. The capacity for anti-poverty organisations to engage in Structural Fund projects must be supported and NGOs should be allowed to lead on projects and be able to access funding for smaller projects. Negotiations for the next round of Structural Funds have already started. It is essential that the next round of Structural Funds is more ambitious in the social inclusion outcomes they seek to achieve than in this current round. This starts with the Structural Fund regulations and guidelines at EU level but involves a commitment from Member States, including Ireland, that the Structural Funds must achieve their social as well as their economic objectives. They must also ensure that anti-poverty groups play a key role at all stages in the design, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the Funds. Key websites: EAPN Ireland Structural Funds webpage http://www.eapn.ie/policy/1598 This Briefing is available on this webpage with links to the relevant documents and websites. European Commission webpage on Structural Funds (Cohesion Policy) http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/intro/working1_en.htm European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland 5 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1, Ireland Tel:+ 353-1-8745737 Fax:+353-1-8781289 Email:info@eapn.ie 8 Website: www.eapn.ie