The South West of England receives significant financial support from the European Union and the South West RDA has a key role to play alongside partners to deliver European Structural Fund programmes. 
 
In order to achieve the goal of becoming the most competitive and dynamic knowledge based economy in the world, set by the EU, there will need to be a significant increase in emphasis on competitiveness, innovation and the knowledge economy. 
 
The context for all European programmes in the region 2007-2013 is provided in the SW Cohesion Framework (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 144.90kb), agreed in April 2006. Updates on regional preparations are published in the SW Cohesion Newsletter: 
 
SW Cohesion Newsletter - 16 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 86.03kb) 
SW Cohesion Newsletter - 15 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 99.10kb) 
European Cohesion Policy Update No 14 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 83.75kb) 
European Cohesion Policy Update No 13 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 77.98kb) 
SW Cohesion Update No 12 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 83.51kb) 
European Cohesion Update No 11 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 87.54kb) 
 
 
There are six programmes that will be delivered in South West England from 2007-2013: 

Competitiveness 
 
The South West Competitiveness Programme outlines investment priorities and objectives for the Programme. The Programme is worth around €250 million to the South West, made up of 50% European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 50% match funding from the UK government.  

Convergence 
 
The Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly outlines investment priorities and objectives for the Programme and is worth around €610 million made up of 75% ERDF with the balance coming from UK match funding.

Territorial Co-operation 
 
The Territorial Co-operation Programme, which is aimed at supporting co-operation between European regions on issues of common interest (e.g. environment, transport, maritime, sustainable communities, tourism etc), is available across the whole of the South West. This programme is divided in three strands: cross-border, trans-national and inter-regional activities.  

European Social Fund 
 
The English European Social Fund Operational Programme will contribute to sustainable economic growth and social inclusion by extending employment opportunities and by developing a skilled and adaptable workforce.  
 
The programme establishes the national priorities for spending ESF money in line with the Lisbon Agenda and the Government's employment and skills strategies.  
 
The programme covers the whole of England and Gibraltar. It includes ring-fenced funding for the 'Convergence' area of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and the 'phasing-in' areas of Merseyside and South Yorkshire.  

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development  
 
The Rural Development Programme for England replaces the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF). Nationally this Programme will be known as the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE). Regional delivery will be influenced through the South West Regional Implementation Plan which outlines the investment priorities for the Programme.  

European Fisheries Fund 
 
Proposals for delivering the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), a national programme which replaces the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), are currently being developed by the Marine and Fisheries Agency (MFA). Work is now underway within the MFA to develop an EFF Operational Programme which will outline investment priorities. This will be subject to consultation in summer 2007 before approval by the EU and will cover the priorities, finance and delivery for England.