New grants are being made available to encourage low carbon schemes, broadband internet improvements and capital investments in the agri-food sector in Greater Lincolnshire.

The government has just launched the first calls for the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme 2014-2020 which includes:

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion
• European Social Fund (ESF) which is focused on improving employment & education opportunities and promoting social inclusion
• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) which aims to improve the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry, the environment and the countryside and the quality of life and management of economic activity in rural areas

Businesses and communities across Greater Lincolnshire will have the opportunity to bid for funding under these programmes, but the first calls for activity are restricted to the following areas:

ERDF

Low Carbon

This call is looking to increase implementation of whole place low carbon solutions and decentralised energy measures.  For more information, download the call specification.  Call closing date is 20^th May 2015.

Information & Communications Technology (ICT)

This call is looking to extend coverage of superfast broadband network infrastructure (capable of delivering speeds of more than 30 Mbps) by providing financial support for projects to extend availability of superfast broadband networks.  For more information, download the call specification.  Call closing date is 6^th May 2015.

More calls are due to be launched imminently for the following investment priorities:

• Research & Innovation
• Improving the Competitiveness of SMEs

The website and links will be made available as soon as these calls are launched.

EAFRD

Business Support

This call invites project proposals for capital investments that contribute strongly to improved growth and productivity in Greater Lincolnshire’s important agri-food sector. Follow the link www.gov.uk/european-structural-investment-funds for further information.  Call closing date is 19^th June 2015.

ESF

ESF activity will be launched later this year.

Further calls under each of the European Programmes will be launched later in the year.

Notes to Editors

• The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is a business-led partnership between the private sector, local authorities and public bodies. It champions the economic development and regeneration of Greater Lincolnshire.
• One of the first LEPs to be established in the UK, the Greater Lincolnshire LEP covers a large geographical area with a population of over one million and a diverse range of industries, from ports and logistics to farming tourism and engineering.
• It includes North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and the administrative county of Lincolnshire. It is controlled by a LEP board made up of leading figures in the public and private sector.
• To learn more about the Greater Lincolnshire LEP please visit http://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk/
• Full guidance can be found on www.gov.uk which includes the most up-to-date version of the ERDF Operational Programme and the EAFRD Operational. Project selection criteria, outline application forms and guidance, eligibility rules and requirements relevant to each fund and a glossary of terms are also online.

For media information please contact:
Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07780 735071
jez@weareshootingstar.co.uk
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