East Wales faces a tough fight ahead to retain EU funds post-2013, the WLGA has warned.
The WLGA European Office, based in Brussels, will play an active role in lobbying for the continuation of this funding which, with match funding from the private, public and voluntary sectors, will provide investment of around £280 million to the region and is vital to job creation and economic development.
Cllr Chris Holley, WLGA Spokesperson for European Affairs and Regeneration, said:
“East Wales benefits hugely from the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective, financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The EU Competitiveness Objective is crucial for the region in terms of job creation, prosperity, and in helping to continue the economic, environmental and social development of the region”.
“As a result of budgetary pressures, MEPs and other stakeholders are warning that Competitiveness funding might be absent from the next EU programming period. The absence of these funds would be a huge blow to East Wales in its efforts to regenerate some of Wales’ most deprived communities, increase skills and employment, and tackle economic inactivity in the wake of the recent financial crisis”.
“The WLGA European Office in Brussels is therefore playing an active role in lobbying for the continuation of the Regional Competitiveness and Employment Objective. As well as leading on a UK Competitiveness Regions Lobby Group, the Office is part of an EU-wide lobbying initiative which aims to demonstrate the importance of funding to Competitiveness Regions, and the absolute need for the continuation of the Competitiveness Objective post-2013”.
“The efforts of the lobbying initiative, led by the Lower Austria Regional Office, will culminate with a seminar and high-level summit during the Committee of the Regions’ ‘Open Days’ week, which will take place in Brussels on 4-7 October.”
