Following considerable discussion over the last six months, the European Programme Executive ERDF Secretariat has analysed what funds have been committed and there is now agreement on what can still be funded. For Merseyside this follows the Workshop on 20th May.


For Priority One (Enterprise), Action Area 1-1 (Developing High Value New Enterprise) is open for proposals, AA1-2 is currently closed, and AA1-3 (Increasing Sustainable Production and Consumption) is only open for a reserve list.


For Priority Two (Knowledge) bidding will be opened at the beginning of July (with the closing date late in October) this is for 2-1-5 (University) and 2-2-3 (Knowledge to Innovate) and perhaps 2-2-4.


Priority Three (Sites and Tourism) is closed for Merseyside.

For Priority Four (Worst-off Areas), AA4-1 (Entrepreneurship) and AA4-3 (Holistic Support) are still open on Merseyside. AA4-2 (Linkages) will shortly be open - see elsewhere in this newsletter. Realistically, there is not a large amount of money remaining uncommitted. If you would like further details, contact Andy Churchill.


We are also expecting the bidding process to change. The Expression of Interest form has been abolished, so now the first stage will be completing a Concept Form (which is now shorter), and the second stage is the old D&A form.