Convergence
The West Wales and the Valleys region has been awarded the highest level of support (£1.4
billion), known as Convergence, from the
European Union for the new European Structural Funds programming
round 2007–2013.
Convergence is the successor to the Objective 1 programme 2000–2006,
and geographically will cover 15 local authority areas in
the West Wales and the Valleys region. Map
The Convergence programmes for West Wales
and the Valleys comprise funding from two separate European
Structural Funds: the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European
Social Fund (ESF). Around £856 million
of ERDF funds will be channelled through the Welsh Assembly
Government to help progress the region’s transformation
into a sustainable and competitive economy by investing in
the knowledge economy and helping new and existing businesses
to grow. It will also
focus on regenerating Wales’ most deprived communities,
tackling climate change and improving transport. Some £570
million from the ESF will be used to tackle economic inactivity,
increase skills and employment. Together, the funds will
total more than £1.4 billion of Convergence spending,
which combined with match funding, will drive a total investment
of £3.2 billion in the West Wales and the Valleys region.
(Source: WEFO)
The main objectives of FP7: Specific programmes
Knowledge lies at the heart of the European Union's Lisbon Strategy to become the "most dynamic competitive knowledge-based economy in the world". The 'knowledge triangle' - research, education and innovation - is a core factor in European efforts to meet the ambitious Lisbon goals. Numerous programmes, initiatives and support measures are carried out at EU level in support of knowledge.
The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), with a budget of EUR 50,521 million, bundles all research-related EU initiatives together under a common roof playing a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitiveness and employment; along with a new Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), Education and Training programmes, and Structural and Cohesion Funds for regional convergence and competitiveness. It is also a key pillar for the European Research Area (ERA).
The broad objectives of FP7 have been grouped into four categories: Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities. For each type of objective, there is a specific programme corresponding to the main areas of EU research policy. All specific programmes work together to promote and encourage the creation of European poles of (scientific) excellence.
(Source: CORDIS)
For other funding Sources please see the Links section
|
