1. SEMLEP ERDF WORKSHOP Lecture Room 1&2 Walton Hall Open University
11th December 2017
Lecture Room 1&2
Walton Hall
Open University
Milton Keynes

2. Content Item Description Led By Timing 1.
Coffee on arrival and Registration
10:30-10:45 2.
Welcome and Introduction
Jane Roemer,
ESIF Manager, SEMLEP
10:45-11:00 3.
ERDF Programme Updates
 Jane Roemer
11:00-11:15 4.
SEMLEP ERDF Programme Overview
Next calls
PA 1 Promoting Research and Innovation;
PA 2 Enhancing Access to Information Communication and Technology
PA 3 Enhancing the Competitiveness of SMEs
Brenden Byczkowski
11:15-11:45 6.
Q&A Session 8.
Application Process
Further sources of information
Jane Roemer
Lunch and event close :30-13:00 9.
Surgeries (optional)
13:00-14:00

3. ERDF PROGRAMME updates
Projects to be funded up until when UK leaves the EU even if projects’ funding runs beyond the UK leaving the EU. Funding agreement must be in place by March 2019
Projects will need to meet domestic priorities and provide ‘good’ value for money
Launch of calls second half of the Programme from December 2017 and March dependent on spend

4. Impact of NEP-SEMLEP Merger?
No impact on all current ERDF projects
Continue to deliver in either historical NEP or SEMLEP area OR check with CLG for changes to geography
a combined ESIF committee
a combined ESIF notional allocation
a 2017 Business Survey
a ESIF Implementation Plan
a 2017 Strategic Economic Plan
part-funded by ERDF Technical Assistance

5. Technical Assistance Support
The technical assistance (TA) contracts were not transferred from Northamptonshire Enterprise Partners
SEMLEP TA contract covers historic geographical area
Role
To provide facilitation
To disseminate information
Support potential applicants to full application
However, there is also a role to support post contract
ERDF Providers Forum
Summative Assessment

6. SEMLEP allocations for ERDF 2014 to 2020
Notional Allocation - £57.1m *
PA1 – Research and Innovation - £12.4m
PA2 – ICT - £3.1m
PA3 – SME Competitiveness - £30.3m
PA4 – Low Carbon Economy - £10.3m
PA6 – Green Infrastructure - £1m
*SUBJECT TO EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS

7. ERDF Priority Axis and allocations 2017-20
Remaining Funds (est)
PA1 Research & Innovation
£5.2m
PA2 ICT
£1m
PA3 SME Competitiveness
£6.5m
PA4 Low Carbon
£0.00
PA6 Protection of the Environment
£ 0.00
Total
£12.7m

8. SEMLEP: ERDF Priority Axis 1 Research and Innovation
1a Enhancing research and innovation infrastructure and capacities to develop research and innovation excellence
Purpose: to build or enhance infrastructure that in due course will contribute to commercialisation of products, services and processes
Indicative actions
Specialist centres/facilities linked to Smart Specialisation, e.g. Science Parks
Development or Upgrading of innovation space
Improved incubation space for innovation/research
Development of enterprise, innovation and technology hubs in line with “Smart Specialisation in England”
Upgrading of test facilities

9. SEMLEP: ERDF Priority Axis 1 Research and Innovation
1b Promoting business investment in research and innovation
Specific Objectives: SMEs invest more in research and innovation in sectors/technologies linked to SSS. More SMEs engage in knowledge exchange with research, public or large private enterprises
Indicative actions
Productive Innovation partnerships (linked to Smart Specialisation Strategy)
Supporting commercialisation of new products, process and initiatives (linked to the 8 Great technologies set in the Smart Specialisation Strategy)
Applied Research Programmes for sectors and technologies set out in the SSS
Innovation support programmes for SMEs as set out in SSS
Support for innovation ecosystems including business-led networks
Activities promoting smart specialisation approach that develop supportive environment for innovation
Technology Support Programmes
Grants to support development of prototypes and social innovation

10. Outputs 1a
C25 Number of researchers working in improved research facilities
P2 Public or commercial buildings renovated or build 1b
C1 Number of enterprises receiving support
C2 Number of enterprises receiving grants
C3 Number of enterprises receiving financial support other than grants
C4 Number of enterprises receiving non- financial support
C5 Number of new enterprises supported
C6 Private investment matching public support to enterprises (grants)
C7 Private investment matching public support to enterprises (non- grants)
C8 Employment increase in supported enterprises
C26 Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the market products
C28 Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the firm products
C29 Number of enterprises cooperating with research entities
P2 Public or commercial buildings built or renovated

11. SEMLEP: ERDF Priority Axis 2 Enhancing Access to ICT
2b Developing Information & communications technology products and services, e-commerce, and enhancing demand for ICT
Specific Objectives: Increase the number of small and medium sized enterprises making productive use of digital technologies
Indicative actions
Support for SMEs to update or introduce new ICT business models
Provision for coaching, advice, consultancy, mentoring and support for SMEs to;
Access new markets
Develop ICT skills strategies
Implement productivity improvements using ICT
Demand-side voucher schemes
Demonstration and pilot projects to showcase how SMEs can implement improvements
Support for diffusion of results
Support for integration of digital supply chains
Grants to support development of prototypes and social innovation

12. Outputs 2b C1 Number of enterprises receiving support
C5 Number of new enterprises supported
C29 Number of enterprises cooperating with research entities
P4 Additional businesses taking up broadband with speeds at least 30Mbps

13. SEMLEP: ERDF Priority Axis 3 SME COMPTETIVENESS
3a Promoting Entrepreneurship (new idea, new firms, business incubators)
Specific Objective: increase entrepreneurship particularly in areas with low levels and amongst underrepresented groups
Indicative actions:
Targeted engagement, outreach and mentoring to strengthen SMEs
Provision of advice and support for entrepreneurship amongst underrepresented groups
Advice and support for new business start-ups
Support to address market failures in provision of start-up finance including grants to support productive investment
Provision of land and premises for employment sites including incubator space, managed workshop space or grow-on space

14. Outputs – PA3 3a C1 Number of enterprises receiving support
C2 Number of enterprises receiving grants
C3 Number of enterprises receiving financial support other than grants
C4 Number of enterprises receiving non- financial support
C5 Number of new enterprises supported
C6 Private investment matching public support to enterprises (grants)
C7 Private investment matching public support to enterprises (non- grants)
C8 Employment increase in supported enterprises
C28 Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the market products
P2 Public or commercial buildings built or renovated
P11 Number of potential entrepreneurs assisted to be enterprise ready

15. SEMLEP: ERDF Priority Axis 3 SME COMPTETIVENESS
3C Supporting the creation and extension of advanced capacities for products, services and development (Increase the growth capacity of SMEs)
Specific Objective: Increase the growth capacity of SMEs
Indicative Actions:
Advice to develop new business models or higher quality products, processes or services
Advice and support to
implement productivity improvements
Improve business processes and workforce development
Strengthen supply chains
Grant finance for businesses to invest in product process and service improvements
Provision of non-grant finance where there is a clear market failure
Provision of independent access to finance advice
Provision of land and premises for employment sites

16. SEMLEP: ERDF Priority Axis 3 SME COMPTETIVENESS
3d Supporting the capacity and the extension of advanced capacities for products, services & development
Specific objectives: Increase the growth capacity of SMEs
Indicative actions:
Provision of efficient referral routes to help SMEs to identify and access tailored support for their specific growth needs
Support to develop focused growth strategies and update or introduce new business models
Attract new business investment through cluster and sector initiatives
Advice and support to enable SMEs to enter, establish and expand new markets
Advice and support for business to become investment ready

17. Outputs – PA3 3c & 3d C1 Number of enterprises receiving support
C2 Number of enterprises receiving grants
C3 Number of enterprises receiving financial support other than grants
C4 Number of enterprises receiving non- financial support
C5 Number of new enterprises supported
C6 Private investment matching public support to enterprises (grants)
C7 Private investment matching public support to enterprises (non- grants)
C8 Employment increase in supported enterprises
C28 Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the market products
P2 Public or commercial buildings built or renovated
P13 Number of enterprises receiving information, diagnostic and brokerage support

18. ERDF Key Principles Minimum project size is £500k ERDF
50% match funding: clean, private or public, cash, staff time, SMEs contributions*, delivery partners, donated land no more than 10%, buildings (present value), bank loans, capital/revenue match funding
Simplified cost options for indirect costs and hourly rates
BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ for new build and ‘very good’ for refurb.
Cross cutting themes: Equality and anti discrimination and sustainable development policies and implementation plans (see ERDF OP sect. 11)
Added value, ‘good value for money’ and alignment with domestic priorities
Must be able to cashflow operation
Procurement policy (legal advice)
State Aid (legal advice)

19. What costs can be claimed?
Capital
Contingencies to allow for unforeseen costs
Mobile assets (phone, computers, motor vehicles) 100% ERDF
Land Acquisition up to 10% of total project cost
Building Acquisition
Plant and machinery
Equipment and second hand equipment
Ineligible Expenditure:
Local social welfare facilities (hospitals, sport facilities, parks etc.)
Coastal protection, soil conservation
Building and renovation of housing except for energy efficiency
Infrastructure in ports
List not exhaustive! If in doubt contact DCLG
Revenue
Direct staff costs
Direct other costs
Rent, equipment, evaluation, procured goods, services, works
Travel and substance
Flat rate of 15% of direct staff costs for all other indirect costs e.g. HR, IT, Finance
Ineligible expenditure:
Notional costs
Entertainment
Contingencies
Bad debts
List not exhaustive! If in doubt contact DCLG
Check Eligibility Guidance

20. Application Process
Calls specification is published on Funding Finder on & publicised on LEP website
Must read the following documents prior to starting application:
SEMLEP/NEP ESIF Strategies
ERDF Operational Programme
Programme Guidance including National ERDF Eligibility Rules, Selection Criteria,
Procurement and State Aid Guidance,
Publicity rules
Use the Outline Application Guidance to Complete Outline Application;
You will also need to submit: granular budget; indicators annex; financial table annex.
You will need to give details about your policy and implementation plan for Equality and Sustainable Development OR steps you will take to develop.
Give yourself plenty of time, outline application can run to 20 pages!

21. Assessment of outline application To get through to the next stage you need to meet:
1) Gateway Criteria
2) Core criteria
Is your organisation eligible to apply?
Is the proposed activity and expenditure eligible?
Does your proposal clearly meets the Call needs and opportunities?
Does it fit with the ERDF Operational Programme?
strategic fit (national and local)
value for money
management and control
deliverability
compliance with:
eligibility rules,
procurement,
state aid,
publicity requirements and
cutting themes

22. If you are accepted to make a Full Application
Use the full application guidance to help completing form and annexes
The Managing Authority may have made suggestions for conditions to be met, these need to be fully answered in your full application
The appraisal will focus on core criteria
It may take some time before you finally receive the Funding Agreement, remember any expenditure incurred from Outline approval is at applicant’s own risk

23. Useful links
SEMLEP & NEP Esif Strategies
ERDF Operational Programme /file/453888/England_ERDF_operational_programme_FINAL_ pdf
Programme Guidance (eligibility, publicity, procurement, revenue, state aid, document retention, performance, fraud, conflict of interest, timesheets) investment-funds-programme-guidance
Output definition guidance /file/577016/ESIF-GN _ERDF_Output_Indicators_Definition_Guidance_v3.docx
Funding Agreements investment-funds-funding-agreements

24. Support from ESIF Facilitation Team
ESIF Facilitator
(ESIF Manager)
Tel: M:

25. Questions / Discussion?
SEMLEP ERDF WORKSHOP
Questions / Discussion?