The European Structural Funds

Introduction
The Structural Funds in Aberdeenshire
European Regional Development Fund
European Social Fund
Interreg
Previous Aberdeenshire Council Involvement (2000 - 2006)

Introduction

The European Cohesion Policy aims to address economic and social disparities between different parts of Europe. The European Structural Funds are the financial instruments made available by the European Union to support this objective. The table below shows the Structural Funds and Instruments which support the three Objectives of European Cohesion Policy: Convergence, Competitiveness and Territorial Co-operation. The Competitiveness and Territorial Co-operation Objectives are applicable to Aberdeenshire.

Structural Funds and Instruments supporting European Cohesion Policy

Objective	Structural Funds and Instruments
1) Convergence	European Regional Development Fund	European Social Fund	Cohesion Fund
2) Competitiveness	European Regional Development Fund	European Social Fund
3) Territorial Co-operation	European Regional Development Fund

 

The Convergence Objective aims to promote growth-enhancing conditions and factors leading to real convergence for the least developed EU Member States. The Convergence Objective is targeted at Member States and regions with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of less than 75% of the EU average and has a total budget of €282.8 billion.

The Competitiveness Objective aims to strengthen the competitiveness and attractiveness of Europe’s regions. €55 billion has been allocated to supporting this Objective.

The Territorial Co-operation Objective aims to strengthen cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation in order for regions to exchange ideas and to develop joint solutions to common problems. This Objective has a total budget of €8.7 billion.

The Structural Funds in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire is an eligible area for funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to reduce the economic disadvantages faced by certain regions in the EU. The ERDF finances:

• Direct aid to investments in companies (in particular Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) to create sustainable jobs
  
  
• Infrastructure (in particular focussed on research and innovation, telecommunications, the environment, energy and transport)
  
  
• Financial instruments (capital risk funds, local development funds etc.) to support local development and to foster co-operation between towns and regions

ERDF funding is available for local projects and transnational (INTERREG) projects.

 

The European Social Fund (ESF) aims to improve employment and job opportunities in the European Union. The ESF finances projects which:

• Adapt workers and enterprises through lifelong learning schemes, designing and spreading innovative working organisations, etc.
  
  
• Provide access to employment for job seekers, the unemployed, women and migrants
  
  
• Contribute to the social integration of disadvantaged people and combat discrimination in the job market
  
  
• Strengthen human capital by reforming education systems and setting up a network of teaching establishments.

Each EU Member State develops its own Structural Funds programme(s) for a period of seven years, based on EU regulations and guidance. Aberdeenshire is covered by the Structural Funds Programme for Lowlands and Uplands Scotland (LUPS).

 

Previous Aberdeenshire Projects

Aberdeenshire Council made extensive use of European Structural Funds during the 2000-2006 period. Many of these projects are now coming to an end but have had positive impacts on the local communities.

For further information please see:
Aberdeenshire Council previous projects webpage