1. Priority Access 3: Enhancing the Competitiveness of SMEs Specialist Support for the Manufacturing Sector
Kate

2. Welcome Introductions Purpose of event Format:
Strategic overview of European Structural & Investment Fund (ESIF)
Key detail outlined in the Call
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and how to apply
The outline application form – and things to consider
Housekeeping
Kate

3. Kate

4. European Structural & Investment Fund
Thematic Objective 3: Enhancing the Competitiveness of SMEs
The strategy states that, by 2022, “Gloucestershire aims to be a hub of world class companies with a diverse business portfolio”.
Gloucestershire needs to retain and expand its productive high value manufacturing sector.
Gloucestershire’s manufacturing sector is the largest sector in the county in terms of output (19.7%) and the second largest sector in terms of employment (11.7%). The ratio of output to employment illustrates the high levels of productivity in manufacturing. Gloucestershire has the highest proportion of employment of all Local Enterprise Partnership regions in high and medium technology manufacturing (6.7%).
This call predominantly seeks to invest European Regional Development Funds in activities that will provide specialist business support to SMEs in Gloucestershire’s manufacturing sector, to develop the sectors supply chain and to encourage growth and increased productivity.
Kate
Gloucestershire’s productivity challenge - impact of growth in this sector (would have a disproportionately positive impact on productivity)
Innovation as a driver for increased productivity.
Need to drive on the county’s entrepreneurial culture to drive economic growth.

5. Detail In The Call
£500,000 ERDF (£1M total budget)/ minimum application level £300,000 (£600,000)
Target small and medium sized enterprises with a focus on those with high growth potential
Focus support towards the priority sectors of knowledge-intensive and high-tech manufacturing e.g. aerospace and precision engineering
Assisting manufacturing businesses to diversify and use technological advances and innovations
Offering innovative solutions and an imaginative approach to deliver diagnostics and specialist support that meets the business’s needs
A need to provide dedicated Gloucestershire based support that focuses on local need and has the ability to respond flexibly to emerging opportunities and/or risks in markets.
Delivering support across the county
Activity shouldn't duplicate current business support activities available in Gloucestershire
A need to work closely with the Growth Hub.
Kate
Delivery approach – e.g. one to ones, workshops, seminars, events and grant support.
Businesses in rural areas as well as urban centres and market towns.
Reference to local manufacturing advisory programme – overlap in delivery window.
Growth Hub – physical space (across network), links to business support (referrals/ joint marketing etc), joint working with partners inc. GFirst LEP, challenge of reaching businesses (new to support env and those not targeted through previous programmes.

6. European Regional Development Fund
The application process
Priority Axis 3, Investment Priorities 3c and 3d
Top tips for a strong application
Sian
20XX

7. The ERDF Process
Outline Application (closing date – 26th January 2018)
Assessment - ESIF Sub Committee - Managing Authority decision
Full Application (approximately 6 weeks)
Meeting - Appraisal (iterative) - ESIF Sub Committee - Managing Authority decision
Grant Funding Agreement (GFA)
Pre-GFA conditions - GFA completion – contract conditions
Project Inception Visit (PIV) and On the Spot Verification (OtSV)
Project Management
Claims – on-going compliance (potential audit checks / visits)
Sian
Claims – retrospective payments on a quarterly basis. Audits, output evidence, document retention – guidance on audit & management & control requirements.

8. ERDF - Priority Axis 3
Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Investment Priority 3c: supporting the creation and the extension of advanced capacities for products, services and development. Investment Priority 3d: supporting the capacity of small and medium sized enterprises to grow in regional, national, and international markets and to engage in innovation processes. - The indicative actions to be supported by European Regional Development Fund Under investment priority 3c can be found on pages and 3d on pages of the ERDF Operational programme
Sian
20XX

9. ERDF PA3 output definitionsC1
Number of enterprises receiving support (C2 C3 C4 C5 are a subset of C1) 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
C29
Number of enterprises supported to introduce new to the firm products P2
Public or commercial buildings built or renovated
P13
Number of enterprises receiving IDB support
Sian

10. Top Tips for a strong application
Address the call; investment priorities, local need for activity, required outputs…
Understand the difference between delivery, strategic and collaborative partners
Ensure proposed activities are eligible
As ERDF is the fund of last resort, ensure you demonstrate additionality
Understand where your match funding is coming from and how it will work
Be realistic about outputs and deliverability
Understand indirect and direct costs, and the 1720 simplified cost methodology
Ensure that procurement processes are EU compliant, not just UK compliant
Consider GBER (not just de minimus) when identifying state aid routes
If invited to full application, think granular detail…
Sian & Kate
Match funding – 50%, SME contributions/ income generation (e.g. vouchers)
Outputs - be realistic especially considering SME focus
Deliverability – three years
Procurement & publicity

11. Summary of Key Points Detail in the call Detail in the ESIF Strategy
Clear & concise application
Don’t be scared by the regulations – just needs good planning
Utilise the Technical Assistance Support:
Kate Hull
Kate

12. Questions?
The ERDF Technical Assistance Project is supported by the 2014 to 2020 European Regional Development Fund Programme
Kate