The European Commission has formally adopted the 2014-2020 Operational Programme for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The programme will guide strategic investments worth over €1bn across Scotland over the next six years. The European Commission will provide €467m and the remaining funding will be provided by the Scottish Government and its partner organisations.
The new ERDF programme has four main focal points around: the development of ‘Smart Cities’ and a digital economy; support for SMEs to become more competitive; enabling a shift to a low-carbon economy; and further internationalisation of the Scottish economy. There will also be a concentration on areas where Scottish firms have grown a strong reputation in recent years, such as renewable energy, marine bio-science, and food & drink.
The European Commission’s €467m contribution will be broken down into the following activities:
- Research, technological development & innovation: €111.5 million
- Access to, and quality of information and communication technologies: €25m
- SME competitiveness: €143.7m
- Shift to a low-carbon economy: €131m
- Environmental protection and resource efficiency: €56m
For further information about the ERDF funds, please visit the Scottish Government’s European Structural Funds webpages. Their Structural Funds Division are happy to answer queries and can be contacted by email to: future_funds_2020@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
