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Low Carbon Innovation Fund (LCIF 2) Launched.
We are delighted to learn that the Low Carbon Innovation Fund (LCIF2) has now been launched. Andy Luff or ACL European Chaired the partmership steering group for the project from 2014 to 2019. The project is a multi-LEP area Investment Fund into eligible SMEs in the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Hertfordhsire LEP, and the Cambridgshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (GCGP) areas.
LCIF 2 is a venture capital fund which uses the funds raised from the ERDF via a partnership between UEA and Norfolk County Council, on behalf of New Anglia LEP, Hertforshire LEP and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority. Turquoise International are the appointed Fund Managers for the new fund, which will invest £10.9m alongside at least £11m private sector co-investment.
Details of the fund can be found via the LCIF 2 Website:
Archive
24th July 2015 - ESIF Procurement Guidance Published
The Department for Communities and Local Government has published new procurement guidance setting out the requirements for organisations in receipt of European Structural and Investment Funds when they purchase goods, works and services. The main changes are an explanation of the new rules under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, clarification of the requirements upon organisations outside the formal remit of the Directives and a greater emphasis upon record keeping.
The guidance can be found here.
12th September 2013 - ACL European on Twitter!
Debut on 'Twitter'! Andy Luff of ACL European was featured on the Hertfordshire LEP 'twitter' feed whist presenting at the Hertfordshire LEP EU SIF consultation event on Thursday 12th September 2013. Details can be found here.
22nd July 2013 - EU Budget Update
The European Council have announced further progress in obtaining agreement for the EU budget (multi-annual financial framework) for the period 2014-2020. Agreement is needed before the regulations and financial allocations for EU SIF 2014-2- can be confirmed. Further information can be found here.
19th July 2013 - EU SIF 2014-20 LEP Guidance Finally Published
HM Government finally published the awaited guidance to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) on developing EU Structural and Investment Fund Investment Strategies for the period 2014-2020. LEPs have until 7th October to prepare a first draft with a final EU SIF investment strategy to be agreed for each LEP area by 31st January 2014. HMG still anticipate the new programmes will be ready to spend from around mid-2014. The guidance can be found on the .GOV website here. ACL European is delighted to be working with Hertfordshire LEOP on the EU SIF for that area.
27th June 2013 - EU SIF England LEP 'Notional' Allocations 2014-2020
Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced the 'notional' EU Structural and Investment Fund (EU SIF) allocations for England Local Enterprise Partnerships for the period 2014-2020. These can be found here.
15th April 2013 - EU SIF 2014-20 LEP Preliminary Guidance Published
HMG has published preliminary guidance to Local Enterprise Partnerships on planning for EU Structural and Investment Funds (EU SIF) for 2014-20. The guidance can be found here.
March 2013 - HM Government publishes response to Heseltine report on growth
HM Government has now published a response to the Lord Heseltine's report 'No Stone Unturned in the Pursuit of Growth' published in October 2012.
The Government has welcomed the report and is accepting in full or in part 81 of Lord Heseltine’s 89 recommendations. The response sets out arrangements for delivery of European Structural and Investment Funds for 2014-20 and provides information on the role that Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) will play in delivery in the next programme period. Guidance to LEPs is now expected at the end of March 2013. HM Government response can be accessed by clicking here.
March 2013 - EU Presidency Compromise Texts
The current EU Presidency compromise texts can be found on the European Council website (after a challenging google search). These provide current state of play on the Commissions proposed regulations for the Common Strategic Framework Funds (now renamed European Structural and Investment Funds). Council website can found by clicking here.
Compromise text relating to ex-ante conditionality (in relation to 'smart specialisation') can be found here.
February 2013 - Agreement reached at the European Council on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-20
The deal reached at the European Council in February 2013 limits the maximum possible expenditure for a European Union of 28 Member States to EUR 959.99 bn in commitments, corresponding to 1.0% of the EU's Gross National Income (GNI). This means that the overall expenditure ceiling has been reduced by 3.4% in real terms, compared to the current MFF (2007-2013). This is to reflect the consolidation of public finances at national level. This is the first time that the overall expenditure limit of a MFF has been reduced compared to the previous MFF. The ceiling for overall payments has been set at EUR 908.40 bn, compared to EUR 942.78 bn in the MFF 2007-2013.
See the detailed budget on: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/special-reports/mff/summary-of-the-european-council-agreement
9th October 2012
BIS have announced a series of structural fund 2014-20 roadshow consultation events. More information can be found on the LGA website. Details of the initial consultation can be found via the BIS website following link.
23rd August 2012 - UEA ADAPT Group Commercial Launch Event
University of East Anglia (UEA) Adapt Group has announced the launch of ADAPT Commercial. This will take place at the Barbican, London on 25 September 2012 from 3pm until 7pm. Guest speakers include sustainability champion and Red Dwarf star Robert Llewellyn and Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Citizenship for IBM UK & Ireland, Caroline Taylor. You can find out more and register for the event via the ADAPT Group website here.
6th April 2012 - European Code of Conduct on Partnership
European Commission publish a ‘European Code of Conduct on Partnership’. This sets out requirements for partnership engagement as part of preparations for the next European programme period 2014-20. The document can be viewed here.
14th March 2012 - Draft Common Strategic Framework Published
The European Commission have published the draft Common Strategic Framework. The Commission say: ‘iIt is intended to help in setting strategic direction for the next financial planning period from 2014 to 2020 in Member States and their regions. It will enable a far better combining of various funds to maximise the impact of EU investments. National and regional authorities will use this framework as the basis for drafting their 'Partnership Contracts' with the Commission, committing themselves to meeting Europe's growth and jobs targets for 2020’. The document can be viewed here.
6th October 2011 - Cohesion Policy Framework Publication
European Commission publishes Cohesion Policy framework for structural fund programmes 2014-2020 “Investing in Growth and Jobs”. The proposals can be found here.