What are European Structural Funds?
The European Union gives financial aid to less
developed regions of Europe in the form of European Structural Funds.
European Funds are targeted on specific problems or areas of economic
need and make a difference in Western Scotland.
The funds are delivered through three Objectives. Different parts of the
European Union are designated as eligible to receive Funds under one or
more of these Objectives. Scotland is very fortunate as most of it is covered
by at least one Objective.
- Objective 1:
helps to redevelop regions seriously lagging behind the EU average.
Objective1 Programmes include Funds from both the European
Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund. In Scotland
there is an Objective 1 Programme which
covers the Highlands and Islands area.
- Objective 2:
seeks to revitalise regions affected by serious industrial decline.
Objective 2 areas are characterised as those with urban or
rural problems, areas with declining traditional industries, or declining
fishing communities.
The 2000-06 Western Scotland Objective 2 Programme included Funds
from both the European Regional Development Fund and European
Social Fund. There were three separate Objective 2 Programmes
covering Western Scotland,
Eastern Scotland and Southern
Scotland.
- Objective 3:
helps to improve the situation of the existing and potential
workforce through training. The Scottish Objective 3 Programme covered
all of lowland Scotland. This Programme included only European Social
Fund. The Objective 3 Programme in
Scotland covered the entire lowland Scotland area.
- Community Initiatives:
targets Funds on specific areas of economic need. Community Initiatives
focus on a limited number of target areas across Europe aiming
to promote an integrated approach to tackling social, environmental
and economic problems to promote sustainable urban development. The
2000-06 URBAN II Programme covered the two linked but distinct communities
of South Clydebank and Port Glasgow.
European Funds give us new resources and new ideas.
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