European funding programmes
European Structural and Investment Funds programme 2014-2020
These programmes are now closed.
The two main European Funding programmes are the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF) programmes, known jointly as the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) programme.
The ESIF programme allocated more than £425m to the North East for 2014-2020. The ESIF programme aimed to support the North East Strategic Economic Plan for 'More and Better jobs' for the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP) area.
The NELEP geography was made up of 7 local authority areas, including Sunderland, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
European Regional Development Fund
The ERDF programme focused on five key priorities:
- Promoting Research and Development
- Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
- Supporting the Shift towards a Low Carbon Economy in all Sectors
- Promoting Climate Change Adaptation, Risk Prevention and Management
- Promoting Social Inclusion and Combating Poverty and Any Discrimination: Community Local Led Development
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) was responsible for day-to-day management and implementation of the ERDF programme and was accountable to the Local ESIF Committee. DLUHC and the ESIF Committee worked together to ensure that the ERDF programme was managed and delivered successfully across the North East region.
In total, the ERDF programme was worth approximately £226m to the NELEP area for the 2014-2020 period.
A summary of the ERDF projects delivered in Sunderland by the City Council and its partners can be accessed via this link: Summary of Sunderland ERDF Projects (PDF, 145 KB)
European Social Fund
ESF focused on improving employment opportunities, promoting social inclusion and investing in skills by supporting people to fulfil their potential. The two main priorities for this programme were:
- Inclusive Labour Markets, which combines activities to address employment barriers and social inclusion
- Skills for Growth, which aims to develop new projects to meet key skills requirements among employees and businesses
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was responsible for day-to-day management and implementation of the ESF programme, and accountable to the Local ESIF Committee. DWP and the ESIF Committee worked together to ensure that the ESF programme was managed and delivered successfully.
Three Co-Financing organisations were appointed to manage a proportion of ESF funds for the NELEP area:
- National Lottery Community Fund
- Education and Skills Funding Agency (opens new window)
- Department for Work and Pensions (opens new window)
The remaining ESF funds were issued via open calls for projects at the regional level.
Further information about the ESF programme
Post Brexit arrangements
While the UK no longer participates in the ESIF programme, there are some programmes that UK based organisations can still participate in. These include Horizon Europe and the Turing Scheme. Further information can be found here:
