All English regions will be eligible for funding from the Competitiveness and Employment Objective, except for Cornwall which will retain Convergence funding – the successor to the current Objective 1 status.
Each Member State must produce a National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) setting out its strategy for the delivery of Structural Funds for 2007-13, and showing how the strategy is consistent with the Community Strategic Guidelines and the Lisbon National Reform Programme (see links below).
The Department for Trade and Industry (predecessor to the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) issued a draft NSRF on 28 February 2006 (public consultation ended on 22 May). This identifies four main priorities for the European Regional Development Fund: promoting innovation and knowledge transfer; stimulating enterprise; ensuring sustainable development, production and consumption; and building sustainable communities. The regions will determine the regional emphasis.
The draft NSRF advocates a separate and single European Structural Funds Programme for England with two main priorities: extending employment opportunities, and developing a skilled and adaptable workforce.
Government Offices for the English Regions have been invited to start producing regional Operational Programmes for the European Regional Development Fund - work is progressing with regional partners on the production of these documents.
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