Local Economic Development Programmes
Within the UK’s National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), the UK sets out its main priorities for spending their EU (European Union) Structural Funds. A guide to the structural funds in Northern Ireland is available at www.europe-dfpni.gov.uk.
Within the NI Chapter, 3 priority themes have been identified, which will benefit from the assistance of EU funds under the NI ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and ESF (European Social Fund) Competitiveness and Employment Programmes 2007-2013. They are:
- Enterprise and Innovation
- Skills and Employment
- Environmental and Community Sustainability
The overall aim of these programmes is ‘to create a knowledge-based economy, with a vibrant private sector capitalizing on the outcome of research and development, to offer high quality jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities to the existing and emerging workforce’.
For the funding period 2007-2013 Northern Ireland will benefit from four EU Programmes:
- European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme
- European Social Fund Programme
- Peace III Programme
- Cross Border Territorial Co-operation Programme (INTERREG IVA)
- Rural Development Programme 2007-2013
Ballymoney Borough Council’s Development Services Department is currently developing an action plan to ensure that Ballymoney benefits from European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme and other potential resources. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.