EU FUNDING OVERVIEW

The EU provides funding for a broad range of projects and programmes covering areas such as regional and urban development, employment and social inclusion, agriculture and rural development, maritime and fisheries policies, research and innovation, humanitarian aid.

Funding is managed according to strict rules to ensure there is a tight control over how funds are used and that the money is spent in a transparent, accountable manner. As a group, the 28 EU Commissioners have the ultimate political responsibility for ensuring that EU funds are spent properly. But because most of the funding is managed within the beneficiary countries, responsibility for conducting checks and annual audits lies with national governments.

Over 76% of the EU budget is managed in partnership with national and regional authorities through a system of 'shared management' largely through 5 big funds- The Structural and Investment Funds. Collectively, these help to implement the Europe 2020 strategy.

1. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)- regional and urban development
2. European Social Fund (ESF)- social inclusion and good governance
3. Cohesion Fund (CF)- economic convergence by less-developed regions
4. European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFDR)
5. European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

Other funds are managed directly by the EU. These are provided in the form of Grants and Public Contracts.

• The Commission makes direct financial contributions in the form of grants for special projects or organisations in relation to EU policies or which contribute to the implementation of an EU programme or policy. Such grants usually follow a public announcement known as a 'call for proposals'. Part of the funding comes from the EU, part from other sources.
• The Commission uses public contracts to buy goods and services- studies, technical assistance and training; consultancy, conference and publicity services; books and IT equipment etc.. The providers are selected via calls for tender which are issued by the Commission departments, offices and agencies around Europe.

Applying for Funding

1. Small Businesses: Can obtain EU funding through grants, loans and guarantees. Grants provide direct support, while other funding is available through programmes managed nationally.
2.  Non-Government and Civil Society Organisations: May be eligible for funding, provided they are active in EU policy areas and on a non-profit basis.
3. Young People: Two main types of funding: 1) Education and Training- study opportunities through Erasmus, support for pupils nearing the end of secondary education, and vocational training in another country and 2) Youth- co-funding of projects which encourage civic involvement, volunteeer work and a broader multicultural outlook.
4. Researchers. Between 2014 and 2020, the EU will provide almost € 80 billion in funding for research, mainly through its flagship research programme Horizon 2020. This funding usually takes the form of grants, to part-finance a broad range of research projects.
5. Farmers and Rural Businesses: Most farmers in the EU are eligible for direct income-support payments. Around a third of these are given in return for green farming practices (maintaining permanent grassland, crop diversification etc.). Farmers also receive money based on the amount of land they hold- again in return for employing eco-friendly farming methods that preserve biodiversity, soil and water quality and keep emissions low. EU funding also helps farmers train in new techniques and upgrade or restructure their farms. And it is also applied more broadly to improve life in rural areas, by creating jobs and providing basic services. In addition, under rural development, young farmers can benefit from specific support for setting-up their businesses as well as from higher support rates for investment they make in the business.

Influencing Future Funding

Programming is an essential decision-making process through which the Commission defines strategies, priorities and funding allocations.

There is a common misconception that you have to lobby for a funding proposal to give it any chance of success. But the evaluation of proposals is done remotely by independent peer review so lobbying for a proposal at the European Commission level will have little positive impact.

There are however times when it might be valuable to contact the EC for example; for advice on interpretation of topics, to lobby for the inclusion of a topic in their work programmes or to make them aware of your capabilities of European or worldwide importance

In order to maximise access to EU funding, it is essential to informally and formally influence programmes’ design and delivery at EU and national level. This involves working with other individuals /organisations able to further your position. This requires a definition of medium and long term priorities; areas of strengths; mapping and aligning these against EU priorities and opportunities.