Yorkshire and The Humber ERDF Programme 2007-2013 Call for proposals under the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Programme for Yorkshire and The Humber Priority Prospectus July 2011 December 2011 1
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 1. This Priority Prospectus identifies activities that will deliver Yorkshire and The Humber s ERDF Operational Programme 2007-2013. This has been agreed by the Yorkshire and The Humber ERDF Programme Monitoring Committee (PMC) on 21 June 2011. This Priority Prospectus will be open for bids until 31 December 2011, when a revised version will be issued. In the event that particular Priorities become over-committed, the PMC may decide to close this call for particular activities only. 2. To apply for ERDF using the new process which is being established following the transition to DCLG*, applicants should submit an Outline Business Plan. The Enquiry Form (EOI) stage is no longer applicable. The Outline Business Plan form is attached for ease of reference. If applicants wish to discuss an application before submission, they should contact the Programme Delivery Team using the following enquiries email: YH.ERDFenquiries@communities.gsi.gov.uk. You will be contacted with the name of the Programme Delivery Team officer who will deal with your enquiry. Alternatively, applicants may submit a completed Outline Business Plan by email to the same address. Please note that match funding must be identified (but not necessarily secured) before an Outline Business Plan is submitted as ERDF provides gap funding for project proposals. 3. In order to ensure that programme delivery remains strategic and targeted, the minimum threshold for proposals is those seeking 1,000,000 ERDF or more. The exceptions are proposals under Priority 3 (Sustainable Communities) where the threshold is 500,000 ERDF; Regions for Economic Change/Territorial/Interregional Cooperation activities where the threshold is set at 200,000 ERDF; Technical Assistance proposals under Priority 5 are not subject to a threshold but must demonstrate economies of scale. 4. All projects should meet the needs of all groups by removing discrimination and proactively tackling barriers to participation and success. Project applications will need to demonstrate that they have actively considered equal opportunity issues. 5. In order to avoid overlap, duplication and confusion, the Operational Programme identifies activities which will be delivered by other sources of European Funding. The following actions are identified as ineligible for ERDF support: training (including ICT training), revenue support to address barriers to work such as childcare contributions or running costs, training and access to work advice and support to farming, fisheries and forestry businesses. However, activities which seek to complement actions supported through the European Social Fund are encouraged. Applying for Funding and Guidance A wide range of guidance is available to assist applications. You will need to use the available guidance when preparing your application. Guidance does develop and change over time. We recommend that applicants download the latest versions from the website with each application. 2
PRIORITY 1 PROMOTING INNOVATION AND R&D PROSPECTUS The aim of this priority is To stimulate an innovation culture and strengthen the innovation system in the region by increasing technology transfer from universities, institutes and businesses to the business base to improve products and processes, promoting networking and setting the framework for businesses to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the knowledge economy. Networking Indicative Activity from OP Mentor Network Supporting organisations that encourage and promote technology led sectors/clusters Collaborative R&D programmes between businesses /universities /institutions developing new products & processes to improve business performance Regions for Economic Change/Territorial/Interregional Cooperation activities Applications need to fit with existing networks provision. There must be an element of direct business support to business located in the Programme area. Must relate to linking businesses located in the Programme area to research and development capability. Specialist support for the development of key sectors to increase use of specialist technologies introduce innovative production methods promote R&D increase productivity international benchmarking climate change activities knowledge transfer encourage the sharing of best practice Pure research will not be funded but projects involving research with a commercial application that include collaboration with businesses are encouraged. Relevant student and graduate placement programmes will be funded through this objective where there are satisfactory levels of outputs and/or a sufficient level of clear benefit to businesses located in the Programme area, and where individuals so placed have continuing support from a higher education institution. This action is currently under-bid. Proposals are actively encouraged that bring together the research base in Yorkshire and the Humber in collaborative activity, pilot ways to increase business participation in the knowledge driven economy/knowledge democracy and/or learn from other UK and EU regions that have been more successful in encouraging businesses to innovate. Please note that the threshold for projects under this activity is a minimum of 200,000 ERDF. 3
Indicative Activity from OP Provision of facilities to support innovation and improve regional competitiveness of targeted growth sectors and clusters including research facilities, specialist incubators and grow on space Support for commercialisation of technology in new product/process design Support for investments in demonstration, promotion and supply of renewable energies1 Both capital and revenue support will be offered for this activity. Capital facilities will only be supported where there is clear evidence of market failure and/or clear plans for effective demand stimulation. Facilities should be truly innovative in their use of renewable energy, and other sustainable development practices including the refurbishment and reuse of existing buildings where possible and as a minimum achieve BREEAM (or equivalent) very good or excellent rating. Support for commercialisation of technology must complement and add value to existing provision. Delivery of demonstration and pilot de-centralised co-generation (electricity and heat generating) and, where required, distribution systems to deliver new innovative approaches to supplying low-carbon heat and electricity to businesses. Promotion of innovative renewable and low carbon technologies. These new low-carbon technologies could include: Combined Heat and Power (CHP); Combined Cooling Heat and Power (CCHP); waste to energy systems such as gasification or pyrolosis. Delivery of demonstration projects that install innovative renewable and low-carbon energy conservation technologies on-site to deliver new approaches to supplying zero carbon energy to businesses, (for example solar, wind, biomass geothermal, anaerobic digestion, fuel cells or any other appropriate renewable energy or carbon capture generating technologies). Activities to promote the development of Carbon Capture and Storage technologies. Investments in energy generation must respect State Aid rules. 1 Definitions: Renewable energies anaerobic, hydro-electric, geothermal, micro generation, solar, tidal, wave, wind and bio fuels. Energy conservation technologies cogeneration, energy efficiency, geothermal HP, passive solar. 4
Indicative Activity from OP Support for projects which aim to conceive and develop environmentally friendly innovative solutions, models, materials etc Initiatives to address constraints on or opportunities affecting target businesses Support for businesses to sponsor/purchase R&D activity which will create new products and processes Knowledge/technology transfer between companies/ businesses/institutions/universities/fe Projects should be designed to prove the viability of new technologies offering potential economic advantage but which cannot be yet commercialised directly; and provide support to transfer technology solutions to SMEs. They could Include demonstration projects for energy efficiency in the housing sector where the technology involved is innovative and unproven, but demonstrators that are ultimately intended for permanent residential uses are not eligible for ERDF funding. Proposals are invited that complement existing provision by addressing the need to encourage businesses to connect with and exploit the opportunities offered by the Yorkshire and The Humber knowledge base. Activity should enhance existing provision. Large companies can be supported under this activity. Innovative approaches to technology transfer are needed, in particular to stimulate and encourage the business base to invest more in R&D, this will include graduate placement if appropriate. Supply chain activities can include large companies where this benefits SMEs in Yorkshire and The Humber. 5
Important information for Applicants Priority 1 1. In order to ensure that programme delivery remains strategic and targeted, the minimum threshold for proposals under Priority 1 is those seeking 1,000,000 ERDF or more (except for Regions for Economic Change activities where the threshold is 200,000 ERDF). ERDF will part fund activities, which must be co-funded by a public or private contribution towards the costs. ERDF will contribute up to 50% of the costs in South Yorkshire and 64% of the costs in the Rest of Yorkshire and The Humber. 2. Projects must be primarily focused on the following key clusters and significant growth sectors. In cases where a non-target company would nevertheless benefit from a project, the costs of support can be included as eligible spend for ERDF claims. Please note that general one-to- many business support such as advice on HR issues is not included under the Programme as an eligible activity, and that all support provided should be intensive. a. Creative & Digital New Media Industries, Advanced Engineering & Materials, Food and Drink, Chemicals, Environmental Technologies, Healthcare Industries, Financial and Business Services, Logistics, Construction, Visitor Economy (revenue support only). b. Social enterprises that fall into the above targets sectors in particular Creative and Digital New Media Industries and Environmental Technologies. c. Sustainable Development targeting In support of a sustainable development approach P1 is targeting activities that promote energy efficiency and renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, both in terms of the technologies themselves through the cluster specific interventions, and businesses use of them. d. Revenue support for visitor economy businesses falling within the objectives outlined in Priority 1 will be supported where it is focused at encouraging them to innovate and respond to changing customer demand. 3. Priority 1 seeks to develop the research and innovation capacity of Yorkshire and The Humber. Therefore, there is potential for synergy between ERDF activity and, for example, the Regions of Knowledge action in the Capacities programme of the EU Framework Programme 7 (FP7). While Structural Funds and the Framework Programme cannot both be applied to the same activities in the same project, the two funds can be applied to different phases of the same project, as long as the expenditure co-financed by one of the Funds does not receive assistance from the other. There are also potential synergies for innovation projects in the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, and the Territorial Cooperation Programmes in addition to FP7. 4. The following indicators will be used to measure progress and success of projects under this Priority. Cross Cutting Theme indicators also are applicable under this priority which will also be monitored where these are targets for projects. Targets include jobs and business created and safeguarded for environmental sector, women and BAME communities number of buildings upgraded to minimum BREEAM standard of very good and number of businesses assisted to undertake environmental audits. 6
Priority 1 indicators Number of businesses assisted that are SMEs Number of projects (direct aid to SMEs ERDF 7) Number of RTD projects (ERDF 4) - of which Number of co-operation projects enterprises research institutions (ERDF 5) New or upgraded floorspace (sq m) Number of new businesses created (ERDF 8) Gross new jobs created (ERDF 1, 2 & 3) (1) Research jobs created (ERDF 6) Number of renewable energy technology systems installed MW of renewable energy capacity installed Gross jobs safeguarded Gross increase in GVA 7
PRIORITY 2 SUPPORTING AND STIMULATING SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE PRIORITY PROSPECTUS The aim of this priority is To promote a greater shift towards the knowledge intensive growth clusters and sectors in Yorkshire and the Humber by increasing the number of businesses and occupations in high growth and knowledge industries, by investing in key business sectors to accelerate economic growth and encourage high value added businesses and by developing a more entrepreneurial culture. Indicative Activity from OP Support for high level individually tailored business support programme focused on improving competitiveness in innovative and high growth companies in clusters and key sectors. Advice for improving business processes Advice for new/existing market development including internationalisation Advice for supply chain initiatives Advice for development/ implementation of action plans for targeted knowledge intensive clusters & sectors ERDF can be used to enhance existing business support services. These services may include specialist support for businesses to maintain competitiveness where external economic conditions dictate against increasing competitiveness, provided the businesses supported are expected to grow once economic conditions improve. General business advice on issues such as HR, accounting etc is not supportable under the Y&H ERDF Programme. Activity additional to and not duplicating existing business support services may be supported. Graduate placement programmes will be funded where there is a clear benefit to the host business. Support for eligible businesses to develop business resilience procedures to deal with unexpected disruptive events e.g. economic downturn, flooding will be considered. Specialist support to encourage SMEs and social enterprises with potential for growth to take advantage of procurement opportunities will be supported. A Programme-wide proposal is under development, but enquiries for other initiatives are invited, so that potential duplication can be considered/ avoided. Sector specific activity aimed at developing key sectors will be supported where it adds value to existing business support services. Sector specific activity aimed at developing key sectors will be supported where it adds value to existing business support services. Sector specific activity aimed at developing key sectors will be supported where it adds value to existing business support services. 8
Indicative Activity from OP Advice for financial support for business growth via loan/equity funding, (where market failure exists) seedcorn and proof of concept funding. Grant aided funding to be targeted and specialised. Support for businesses to be investment ready and increase the uptake of venture capital and investment funds (where market gap exists) Support to increase the exploitation of e-business opportunities in support of the knowledge economy Regions for Economic Change/Territorial/Interregional Cooperation activities Targeted assistance for individual entrepreneurs with the potential to create high value added businesses Financial support for new starts/early stage via start-up grant, loan/equity funding (where a market exists), seedcorn and proof of concept funding (where market gap exists) Support for leadership & entrepreneurial programmes which promote best practice in management, innovation, in company development and business culture. Activity will be considered if supported by a robust market demand analysis that takes into account existing provision such as the Programme-wide Access to Finance offer Finance Yorkshire. Activity will be considered that does not duplicate existing provision. Activity will be considered that takes advantage of Government strategies for digital growth. This action is currently under-bid. Proposals are actively encouraged that will identify and implement best practice from other UK/EU regions. Please note that the threshold for projects under this activity only is a minimum of 200,000 ERDF. Initiatives will be funded where these add value to existing provision, in particular bespoke packages targeting specific high potential groups e.g. army families in North Yorkshire, people having disabilities, BAME communities and women. Actions to support ideas development will be supported under this activity. Activity will be considered if supported by a robust market demand analysis that takes into account existing provision such as the Programme-wide Access to Finance offer Finance Yorkshire. Proposals are invited for activity which adds value to existing provision. Activities building the leadership capacity of businesses will be supported, but training per se cannot be funded with ERDF. Mentoring support linking businesses (including social enterprises) with individuals who have the knowledge and experience to help them to grow will be supported where this adds value to existing provision. 9
Indicative Activity from OP Support for improving links between enterprise and education to create and embed an enterprise culture Support for promoting the commercial market place opportunities of a diverse workforce Support for growing culturally diverse business sectors and nurturing entrepreneurs Support for crime reduction initiatives linked to business investment Support for embedding high level investors in the region to act as catalysts for sustainable growth Support for specialist business premises where there is a case for market failure (this might include incubation facilities/managed workspace not directly linked to innovation/r&d) These activities will be best delivered with the business support network intensively integrated to the schools, the FE College network and HE. This will require a more consistent approach to the delivery of enterprise modules in schools and FE/HE. Actions should include stimulation of the involvement of businesses with HE/FE enterprise activity. Combined with increased levels of assistance available through the business support network it is anticipated that the conversion rate thinking of starting a business to actually starting a business will be increased. Proposals are invited from consortia that bring together the potential delivery partners across the Programme area. Enterprise activity under Priority 2 can include activity with 14+ age groups where this is linked to encouraging people to start up or work in high growth and technology based businesses. Activity that recognises the specific needs of particular places or communities of interest, and that will lead to increased participation of under-represented groups including women, BAME communities and people with disabilities, in the target sectors. Activity aimed at disadvantaged communities of interest rather than businesses in target sectors will be supported under Priority 3 (Sustainable Communities). Activity that recognises the specific needs of particular places or communities of interest, and that will lead to increased participation of under-represented groups in the target sectors. Activity aimed at disadvantaged communities of interest rather than businesses in target sectors will be supported under Priority 3 (Sustainable Communities). Crime reduction initiatives should be clearly linked to the attraction and retention of high growth and knowledge intensive businesses. Activity that provides responsive services to investors and enables opportunities for expansion and development to be realised with focus on the target sectors. Activity can include a package of support to maximise the opportunities presented by the Humber ports to attract more business through the ports and encourage businesses to invest there, provided State Aid rules are respected. Proposals will only be accepted where strong market demand can be demonstrated, and where projects evidence genuine high impact on economic growth and in particular business start-up and growth. Facilities must be designed in such a way as to target the sectors identified by the Programme as high growth and/or knowledge intensive, and must be at least 51% let to such companies. General office space will not be supported under this Priority. Facilities that can demonstrate strong linkages to revenue support for business start-up/growth will be prioritised. 10
Indicative Activity from OP Support for incorporating the aims of environmental resource efficiency clubs, effective waste management goals and other sustainable development aims into key clusters Support for installation of micro CHP (Combined Heat & Power) and other environmental technologies in SMEs Support for advice and guidance on meeting environmental standards The creation of innovative carbon neutral developments and upgrading the energy and environmental performance of existing business sites. Activities that provide integrated energy, water and waste systems, services and facilities as part of physical sustainable regeneration activity. Support for investment in renewable energies Activity will be supported that has clear linkages with existing provision. ERDF will be made available for capital support programmes for SMEs, to enable them to invest in environmental technologies that lead to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental review and one to one support to encourage businesses to use environmental technologies will be supported, particularly where this will increase the uptake of new and existing technologies developed and produced in the Programme area. The primary aim of these activities should be to reduce carbon footprint and increase long term competitiveness. Developments must include integrated landscaping for people and biodiversity; and improved accessibility using sustainable modes. This may include the provision of electric charging points and other renewable energy infrastructure as part of carbon neutral development. Activity will be supported that encourages the take-up and commercialisation of new and existing renewable energies. Investments in energy generation must respect State Aid rules. The following activities included in Priority 2 of the Operational Programme are currently oversubscribed and subject to a strategic pause in applications. Should funding become available in future a separate call will be made for projects addressing these actions. Activities addressing the economic risks of environmental degradation and climate change to employment sites, business areas and individual businesses This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. 11
Important information for Applicants Priority 2 1. In order to ensure that programme delivery remains strategic and targeted, the minimum threshold for proposals under Priority 2 is those seeking 1,000,000 ERDF or more (apart from Regions for Economic change activities where the threshold is 200,000 ERDF). ERDF will part fund activities, which must be co-funded by a public or private contribution towards the costs. ERDF will contribute up to 65% of the costs in South Yorkshire and 46.4% of the costs in the Rest of Yorkshire and The Humber. 2. Projects must be primarily focused on the following key clusters and significant growth sectors. In cases where a non-target company would nevertheless benefit from a project, the costs of support can be included as eligible spend for ERDF claims. Please note that general one-to- many business support such as advice on HR issues is not included under the Programme as an eligible activity, and that all support provided should be intensive. a. Creative & Digital New Media Industries, Advanced Engineering & Materials, Food and Drink, Chemicals, Environmental Technologies, Healthcare Industries, Financial and Business Services, Logistics, Construction, Visitor Economy (revenue support only). b. Social enterprises that fall into the above targets sectors in particular Creative and Digital New Media Industries and Environmental Technologies c. Revenue support for tourism businesses falling within the objectives outlined in Priority 2 will be supported where it is focused at encouraging them to innovate and respond to changing customer demand. 3. The following indicators will be used to measure progress and success of projects under this Priority. Cross Cutting Theme indicators also are applicable under this priority which will also be monitored where these are targets for projects. Targets include jobs and business created and safeguarded for environmental sector, women and BAME communities, number of buildings upgraded to minimum BREEAM standard of very good and number of businesses assisted to undertake environmental audits. Priority 2 indicators Number of projects (direct aid to SMEs ERDF 7) New or upgraded floorspace (sq m) Number of new businesses created (ERDF 8) Gross new jobs created (ERDF 1, 2 & 3) (1) Gross jobs safeguarded Gross increase in GVA Number of businesses improving capability/performance Number of businesses contributing to reduction in ecological footprint/waste (ERDF 27 7 28) Low or zero carbon employment sites developed (Ha) New or upgraded floorspace to BREEAM rating of Excellent or 12
equivalent (m2) Volume of additional flood storage capacity (m3) Length of watercourse restored (km) Number of businesses and properties with reduced flood risk Number of new or existing businesses locating to eco-efficient, high quality workspaces Number of businesses safeguarded against environmental risk 13
PRIORITY 3 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY PRIORITY PROSPECTUS The aim of this priority is To target resources at these most deprived communities where continued under performance is a threat to the region s economic growth - focusing on tackling social and economic exclusion and improving territorial cohesion, creating enterprise opportunities within disadvantaged neighbourhoods and extending the social economy. Indicative Activity from OP Support to foster a dynamic enterprise culture including access to finance Micro Grants for start up businesses Micro grants (up to 3,000 maximum) schemes may be supported for start up businesses where there is a market failure and where economies of scale would be achieved. Small Loans for Business Access to finance initiatives will be considered provided they meet the ERDF regulations for financial engineering and where economies of scale would be achieved. Understanding Finance for Business this activity is now being delivered and further applications will not be accepted. 14
Indicative Activity from OP Support for activities that increase economic activity e.g. fostering business networks, tender ready tool kit initiative All enterprise activity must be able to evidence how it fits against existing provision and should be co-ordinated through the Local Enterprise Partnerships where these exist. Enterprise Culture ERDF will help towards increasing Yorkshire and The Humber s self employment and start up rates by: - Offering Enterprise Coaching - Offering Intensive start up support to businesses Support for retail businesses is normally ineligible for ERDF as the support is generally viewed as displacing other businesses within the Programme area. However, if a general business support proposal does not pro-actively target retail businesses and can show that it does not seek to duplicate or displace existing activity then this is acceptable. Youth Enterprise Project proposals are invited that will facilitate greater entrepreneurship in young people aged 14-19 designed to put enterprise in the context of the overall learning experience and the current life skills of the learners. The experiences should aim to draw out the enterprise potential of the individual helping shape their business idea or to plant the seed of starting a business. Target audience: Lower achievers Key Stage 4* and above (14-19 years) with the objective of starting a business or an interest in entrepreneurship. Higher achievers Key Stage 4 and above (14-19 years) with an aptitude in enterprise. Those showing an interest in enterprise. Employability To reduce the churn of new employees in businesses, starting from the needs of businesses and employers within geographical locations and key sectors. The focus will be to set up brokerage on behalf of employers on key sites/business locations and for key sectors and implement solutions with businesses in order to retain the most at risk employees (for example through mentoring). This work will be business facing, must link strongly with ESF provision and be based in areas of market failure. 15
Indicative Activity from OP Support for development of positive approaches to a changing work environment, effective communication skills and ICT usage Implementation of community ICT strategies Development of commercial and public service delivery through ICT Digital Outreach training programmes are funded through ESF. Applications providing complementary equipment and infrastructure to these programmes are invited through ERDF. Large scale broadband infrastructure projects are ineligible for funding in Yorkshire and The Humber (Excepting South Yorkshire). However, minor infrastructure to connect SMEs to existing broadband networks will be considered for ERDF. Building on existing facilities and provision, ERDF proposals are invited towards establishing digital media centres to improve skills in digital media. Homeshoring to allow people to work from home where it has not traditionally been possible. Projects which allow housebound members of the community to undertake remote contact work, and therefore reintegrate into the workforce. Transformational ICT programmes will provide specific support around transforming business processes through the use of technology. The primary aim of the programmes is to capture the productivity benefits to the micro businesses and community enterprises that the adoption of ICT brings. The Transformational ICT programmes must fit within a wider strategy delivered through the Digital 20/20 group to ensure consistency with delivery. Climate change mitigation activities Capacity building for staff, for instance in housing associations and local authorities and information campaigns on rational use and energy savings, on renewable energies and climate change where these activities are within the framework of a plan with clear objectives and strategy. Grants for small-scale community renewable energy projects. Support for the implementation of community-based green strategies that will lead to enhancements in the natural environment, particularly where these will benefit those in deprived communities. The following activities included in Priority 3 of the Operational Programme are currently oversubscribed and subject to a strategic pause in applications. Should funding become available in future a separate call will be made for projects addressing these actions. 16
Indicative Activity from OP Capital support to help develop sustainable communities through provision of facilities that promote social enterprise, develop local connections and access to employment, ICT and public services Strengthening public transport and access related links between targeted communities and economic opportunities (South Yorkshire only) Capital support for facilities linked to tackling social and economic exclusion (e.g. childcare facilities) and overcoming barriers to work for those furthest away from the labour market, particularly those in the poorest communities and specific communities of interest (South Yorkshire only) This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. 17
Indicative Activity from OP Promoting clean and sustainable public transport between targeted communities and economic opportunities Encourage and facilitate community enterprise and other small scale business development including the provision of incubator or similar business space Support for innovative solutions/new approaches to energy efficiency in low income housing, where this is linked to job creation in the region. Support to strengthen social enterprises including access to finance This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. 18
Important information for Applicants Priority 3 1. In order to ensure that programme delivery remains strategic and targeted, the minimum threshold for proposals under Priority 3 is those seeking 500,000 ERDF or more. ERDF will part fund activities, which must be co-funded by a public or private contribution towards the costs. ERDF will contribute up to 53% of the costs in South Yorkshire and 49.5% of the costs in the Rest of Yorkshire and The Humber. 2. It is important that interventions are targeted effectively in order to maximise the impact of Priority 3. Targeting in Yorkshire and the Humber (excluding the South Yorkshire) will be based on Super Output Areas (SOAs) as these represent the poorest communities in terms of deprivation indices. The Programme will target the bottom 10% of SOAs with spend focused on these communities. Where it makes sense projects covering larger areas, areas in close proximity to the bottom 10%, or joining two SOAs together will be included. Targeting of enterprise support, accessibility/transport initiatives, communities of interest, including those on incapacity benefit, people from minority ethnic communities and people with disabilities, will not be restricted to the 10% SOA. Projects will be expected to deliver the majority of their activity within the SOAs but there is also some scope for activity within Communities of Interest outside these, where it can be demonstrated that the proposed activity is part of the project proposal and it clearly delivers outputs relevant to the European programme. 3. Local, neighbourhood level activity will be based on the specific needs of those communities, with delivery developed and delivered at that level. 4. The following indicators will be used to measure progress and success of projects under this Priority. Cross Cutting Theme indicators also are applicable under this priority which will also be monitored where these are targets for projects. Targets include jobs and business created and safeguarded for environmental sector, women and BAME communities, number of buildings upgraded to minimum BREEAM standard of very good and number of businesses assisted to undertake environmental audits. Priority 3 indicators Number of projects (direct aid to SMEs ERDF 7) Number of businesses assisted that are social enterprises (included in above) New or upgraded floorspace (sq m) Number of new businesses created (ERDF 8) Gross new jobs created (ERDF 1, 2 & 3) (1) Gross jobs safeguarded Gross increase in GVA Number of renewable energy technology systems installed MW of renewable energy capacity installed Area of green space improved, accessible to local organisations (Ha) Number of green capacity building initiatives supported 19
PRIORITY 4 ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A COMPETITIVE ECONOMY (SOUTH YORKSHIRE ONLY) PROSPECTUS The aim of this priority is to continue investing in South Yorkshire s economic infrastructure to maximise the impact of structural fund investments in the sub region to date and the development of a knowledge economy. Priority 4 will facilitate the key centres in their role of acting as attractive locations for new and re-investment in promoting sustainable urban development. Indicative Activity from OP The following activities included in Priority 4 of the Operational Programme are currently oversubscribed and subject to a strategic pause in applications. Should funding become available in future a separate call will be made for projects addressing these actions. Support to improve the physical attractiveness of access routes into South Yorkshire to make it a more attractive environment for the knowledge economy. Support for sustainable urban development projects which directly contribute to the attraction of knowledge intensive businesses This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. Support for capital public transport initiatives excluding mobile infrastructure, which enhance the economic competitiveness of key urban centres. Support for creating the right market conditions for the induction of high speed next generation broadband for new and growing businesses This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. This activity is currently over-subscribed and Outline Business Plans will not be accepted. However, you are encouraged to continue to submit an EOI which would be placed on a reserve list. 20
Important information for Applicants Priority 4 1. In order to ensure that programme delivery remains strategic and targeted, the minimum threshold for proposals under Priority 4 is those seeking 1,000,000 ERDF or more. ERDF will part fund activities, which must be co-funded by a public or private contribution towards the costs. ERDF will contribute up to 36.9% of the costs in South Yorkshire. These activities are not eligible for ERDF in the Rest of Yorkshire and The Humber. 2. The following indicators will be used to measure progress and success of projects under this Priority. Cross Cutting Theme indicators also are applicable under this priority which will also be monitored where these are targets for projects. Targets include jobs and business created and safeguarded for women and BAME communities, number of buildings upgraded to minimum BREEAM standard of very good. Priority 4 indicators Number of projects ensuring sustainability and improving the attractiveness of towns and cities (ERDF 39) Number of projects ensuring sustainability and improving the attractiveness of towns and cities (ERDF 39) New or upgraded floor space (sq m) Information society projects (ERDF 11) Gross new jobs created (ERDF 1, 2 & 3) Gross jobs safeguarded Number of additional businesses covered by or improving broadband access (ERDF 12) 21
PRIORITY 5 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROSPECTUS The aim of this Priority is to improve the delivery of the Programme by financing preparatory, management, monitoring, evaluation and information and control activities by reinforcing the administrative capacity for implementing the Funds. Indicative Activity from OP Core strategy to support the delivery of the Programme Support for the involvement of communities of interest in Programme delivery and governance, in particular the expenses incurred by the voluntary and community sector in supporting the Programme. Programme Management, Evaluation, best practice exchanges, publicity and promotion Partners may bid to supplement the implementation capacity of the Programme with their own teams. Following guidance from central Government, this can include activity to provide development and delivery support to project deliverers, but not the costs of project delivery in itself. This activity would be undertaken alongside the support provided by the Programme Delivery Team, rather than replacing this. Activity that enables charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations to participate fully in the Programme. These activities will be undertaken by DCLG as part of its formal functions in Programme Management. Additional bids for this activity will not therefore be accepted. Important information for Applicants Priority 5 1. Technical Assistance proposals under Priority 5 are not subject to a threshold but must demonstrate economies of scale. ERDF will part fund activities, which must be co-funded by a public or private contribution towards the costs. ERDF will contribute up to 50% of the eligible costs, partners will need to provide their own match funding. 2. Funding will be given for activity that is ERDF specific and demonstrates the added value resources will bring to Programme management, for example by increasing the capacity of the partnerships to develop a consortia approach to delivery. In order to deliver economies of scale, the presumption of the TA strategy is that partnerships will pool resources wherever possible and appropriate. 3. There are no specific Programme indicators for measuring the success of this activity; projects should nonetheless have clear milestones for delivery. 22