European Funding: Understanding and Accessing EU Funding Solène Ferreira Dawson European Funding consultant

A little bit of background - 7 years of experience working on managing and developing European projects - Excess of €15 million of funding benefitting about 50 organisations - Experience in assessing EU project applications - Services I provide: EU funding strategy Development, Bid writing, project management, training…

What are the opportunities available? How can the funding be used? What are the timescales?

 Interreg VA 2Seas programme (60% ERDF) Over 240 million Euros  Priority 1: Technological and social innovation  Priority 2 – Low carbon technologies  Priority 3 - Adaptation to climate change  Priority 4 – Resource-efficient economy - Deadline concept note November 15 - Feedback February Submission of Application form April Decision June

Example of an approved project: The Succès project  Pre employment support  advice sessions  Qualifications  Soft/life skills and sector skills training  10 steps to work guide  Neighbourhood outreach programme Under Interreg IV

 Interreg VA Channel programme (69%) – Over 200 million euros  Priority 1 – Support innovation in order to address economic, societal and environmental issues in the FCE area (social innovation being added)  Priority 2 – Support the energy transition  Priority 3 – Enhance the attractiveness of territories  Priority 4 – Ensure a balanced and inclusive development  Priority 5 - Preserving and capitalising on natural and cultural heritage - Phase 1 application – autumn Feedback – December 2015/January Phase 2 application – Up to the partnership - Possibility of Micro projects – 85% (TBC)

Example of projects The Impress project  In Employment support  Recruitment service  Training and workforce development  Up to ten hours of free one-to-one coaching,  Further education and training  Advice for Childcare issues, on housing and debt  One to one coaching Traditional markets  Using traditional markets as a tool for business creation, product testing  Improving the quality of the markets in order to increase the number of visitors in the area  Developing a business support programme to improve skills of market stall holders Approved project under Interreg IVIn development under Interreg V

THE SMS project – ASCPT Chatham The activities  A training aspect to develop the knowledge of the key players (young people, youth professionals, elected members…)  Support to young people to create their projects while developing soft skills such as self confidence, decision making, stress management…  To raise awareness among young people about European citizenship and the possibilities it opens young people to create or achieve their own personal project

Funding opportunities:  Erasmus+: billion EUR  Key action 1: mobility for young people, schools and staff…  Youth Exchanges: Up to 21 days (mix of workshops, exercises, debates, role- plays, simulations, outdoor activities, etc)  Youth workers' training and networking (job shadowing, study visits…)  Key action 2: Strategic partnerships for Adult or youth education…  Example: The Riscom project or the PETE project  Key action 3: strategic activities supporting policy reform across the EU in education, training and youth  Sports (Events and cooperation) Next deadline: 1 st of October 2015 for youth

 Creative Europe 1.46 billion Euros  Small Cooperation Projects Collaborative creative/cultural projects must involve at least three partner organisations in three different countries. Up to €200,000 can be applied for, which represents a maximum of 60% of the total project budget;  Large Cooperation Projects Collaborative creative/cultural projects must involve at least six partner organisations in six different countries. Up to €2 million can be applied for, which represents a maximum of 50% of the total project budget. (deadline 7/10/2015) – Example: the OPEN project  Networks and Platforms European cultural/creative Networks and Platforms can apply for up to €250,000 and €500,000 (respectively). This represents a maximum of 80% of the total project budget; (Deadline 5/10/2015)  Literary Translation Publishers can apply for up to €100,000 for the translation, production and promotion of European fiction, which represents a maximum of 50% of the eligible costs. Partnership agreements allow for multiple years of funding.

Funding opportunities:  LIFE +  Environment sub-programme  Environment & Resource Efficiency (ENV)  Nature & Biodiversity (NAT, BIO)  Environmental Governance & Information (GIE)  Climate Action sub-programme  Climate Change Mitigation (CMM)  Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)  Climate Change Governance & Information (GIC)  Urbact III European exchange and learning programme promoting sustainable urban development. It will enable European cities to work together to develop solutions to urban challenges and share good practices, lessons and solutions with all stakeholders involved in urban policy Capacity building programme

 Interreg North Sea Region programme (65%)  Priority 1:thinking growth: Supporting growth in north sea region economies  Priority 2: Eco- innovation: Stimulating the green economy  Priority 3: Sustainable North Sea Region: Protecting against climate change and preserving the environment  Priority 4:Promoting green transport and mobility  Interreg North West Europe (65%)  Priority 1: Innovation  Priority 2: low carbon  Priority 3: Resource and materials efficiency  Interreg Europe (75%)  Priority Axis 1: Research, Technological Development and Innovation  Priority Axis 2: Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises  Priority Axis 3: Low Carbon Economy  Priority Axis 4: Environment and Resource Efficiency.

Is EU funding the right thing for your organisation?  The Match funding  The Cash flow  The administration required to claim the funding  Your staff understand why you want to get involved and the benefit of being involved  Identify whether you have capacity to lead on project development/management  Realistic expectations -Add value to what you already do (BL Control)

I want to apply for EU funding, what should I do next?  1) Read a little bit about each programme  2) Develop a project idea including target group, problem you want to resolve, actions you want to implement  3) Choose the programme with the best fit  4) Contact the facilitators/contact point of the programme in order to receive some support and make sure you have chosen the right programme  5) Find some partners (partner search tools, social media, local authorities, …) and choose them carefully.  6) Meet with your partners, make sure that you pin down the innovation of your project and that you work collectively (this can take from 3 to 12 months)

For more information, please contact me: Solène Ferreira Dawson 0044 (0) (0)