ERDF on course for full spending commitment
With more than three years left to run, the European Regional Development Fund programme for the North West is more than 60% allocated, according to fund manager the North West Development Agency.
In an interim statement on the progress of ERDF, the NWDA said 101 projects had received approval for funding of £375m since the latest round of ERDF was launched in February 2008.
Major projects to receive funding include Enworks, a support body offering specialist advice to help North West businesses reduce their use of energy, the North West Urban Investment Fund being established under the European Investment Bank's Jessica programme, and capital projects such as the Baltic Triangle Creative Industries Quarter in Liverpool.
A full list of projects can be browsed at the dedicated ERDF North West website here.
The NWDA was allocated €755m from ERDF to spend between 2007 and 2013. The programme launched in February 2008 and the first funding application was approved in September 2008.
Mark Hughes, acting chief executive of the NWDA, said: "There are a number of projects which will help to make a real difference to the competitiveness and growth of the region, now and in the years ahead, not least through underpinning private sector confidence in the North West as a place to invest."
David Malpass, director of European programme, said: "The ERDF programme is a huge opportunity to bring about a major economic impact which has real and lasting major change in the North West and great progress has been made in the last two years. Already 60% of the programme has been committed which is an average of around £10m being committed each month since the ERDF programme began."
Today the ERDF Programme team are hosting a major event to highlight some of the ERDF funded projects. The European Showcase 2010 takes place at the Arena & Convention Centre, Liverpool from 9.15am – 2.30pm. The event includes a combination of presentations, site visits, films and interviews. A true showcase of the varied and valuable projects funded by ERDF across England's Northwest.
The ERDF Programme in the Northwest will run until 31 December 2013.
