Open Days Brussels 10 October 2006 Structural Funds Management: the Western Scotland Partnership Experience Laurie Russell Formerly Chief Executive Strathclyde European Partnership

European Funds in Scotland Objective 1 transition 308m euro Objective 2 73m euro Objective 2 480m euro Objective 2 250m euro Objective 3 507m euro

Characteristics of the Scottish system Regional economic and social regeneration based on agreed 7 year Programmes Flexible co-finance for projects Partnership - agencies have equal status and decisions are made by consensus Targeting resources on areas of economic opportunity and of greatest need Balance between top down and bottom up approaches Visibility of Europe on the ground Sharing our knowledge and experience

Application processPROGRAMMEIMPLEMENTINGCOMMITTEE ECONOMIC & SOCIAL COHESION COMPETITIVE LOCATION LABOUR MARKET COMPETITIVE SMEs PARTNERS Apply Decide Appraise Assess

What does SEP Ltd do? Pre-application advice and assistance Managing the project life cycle Managing the decision making process and committee system Processing project applications, issuing offers of grant, processing claims, carrying out monitoring visits Specialist support on horizontal themes Disseminating good practice and learning Publicising European Funds

The Wider Environment Partnership starts with the regional strategy and Programme developed in partnership by wide range of agencies Local economic development companies promote an integrated approach and work in partnership at a local level Scottish Executive social justice, employability, regeneration and community planning policies Intermediary bodies that can deliver projects on a partnership basis

Drivers of partnership Is it just the desire to distribute the money that gets people involved? The sense of being part of a strategic approach to regional regeneration - being part of a bigger picture The ability to learn from the experience of other partners, see other projects and compare with your own experience Positive political profile Personal development from being able to do new things and learn from others

Challenges and threats Partnership needs to happen at all stages in the Structural Funds cycle Decision making by consensus can be difficult Role of social partners and others Dealing with vested interests and conflicts of interest Can the centre relinquish power? The threats from political and institutional changes in the external environment

Conclusion Partnership can be slower and therefore more expensive, but there are long-term benefits Able to survive institutional or political change Works with political priorities Transparent and accountable Equitable and inclusive - all partners have an equal voice Balances objective appraisal criteria with expertise and experience of partners

Structural Funds Management: the Western Scotland Partnership Approach Laurie Russell Formerly Chief Executive Strathclyde European Partnership Tel: Fax: Web Site: