Regeneration and economic growth

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly together form the only area in England to qualify for ERDF Convergence funding. This was awarded under European Union funding rules because the region's Gross Domestic Product was less than 75 per cent of the European Union average.

This means that the area may receive a total of €458.1m European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) investment for the 2007-13 Programming period.

Call for Expressions of Interest under the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Convergence Programme are promoted in the Applying for Funding section. There is currently one live call relating to ICT Business Support.

Priorities

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Operational Programme Document outlines four main investment priorities for the Convergence Programme in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly area: 

  • Priority 1 - Innovation, Research and Development
    This priority aims to enable Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to compete as a centre for creativity, innovation and research and development.
  • Priority 2 - Enterprise and Investment
    This priority aims to restructure the economy to one with a higher proportion of high value added business, under-pinned by more productive enterprises across the business base.
  • Priority 3 - Transformational Infrastructure
    The aims are to accelerate the growth of the knowledge-based economy through the development of transformational infrastructure and to secure sustainable economic growth though the use of transformational economic infrastructure.
  • Priority 4 - Place-Based Regeneration
    The aim is to develop the capacity of key towns and locations to accommodate new investment critical to the development of a knowledge-based economy.

The cross-cutting themes of equality and environmental sustainability are integral to the successful delivery of the Programme.

The Programme's vision is to establish the momentum for transforming the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to one where knowledge, environment and quality of life underpin sustainable economic growth. With this in mind, four operational objectives have been set:

  • Transforming the economy into one based on professional, highly-skilled jobs with a broader range of sectors, and a reduced dependence on low paid employment
  • Increasing the range and quality of employment opportunities available to the community
  • Managing economic growth in a sustainable manner
  • Take a leading role in investing in what drives a low carbon economy

For general queries, please email SWconv.ERDFenquiries@communities.gsi.gov.uk or see the contact details under the 'Applying for Funding' section.

Further information about the Programme's investments is provided by Convergence partners on the Convergence Cornwall website (external link).

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