London and European Structural Funds 2007 to 2013

Introduction

 European Structural Funds are the main instrument for supporting social and economic cohesion across the European Union (EU).

They account for over one third of the EU budget and are used to tackle regional disparities and support regional development.

European Social Fund (ESF) was set up to improve employment opportunities in the European Union, and it aims to help people fulfill their potential by giving them better skills and better jobs prospects.

European Regional Development  Fund (ERDF) is used to tackle regional disparities across Europe. ERDF supports regional development through actions such as business innovation and support and regeneration.

London's 2007 -2013 European programmes

London's European Structural Funds are worth £517 million. This comprises £142 million European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and £375 million European Social Fund (ESF).

Working on behalf of the Mayor of London, the European Programmes Management Unit (EPMU) at the London Development Agency (LDA) is responsible for the administration of the 2007 - 2013 programmes.

ERDF

The ERDF programme is monitored by the ERDF programme monitoring committee (PMC), chaired by the Mayor of London.

A copy of the statutory instrument which entrusts the administrations of ERDF to the LDA is available on the Communities and Local Government website.

ESF

For ESF the EPMU works in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The DWP has the overall responsibility for ensuring the Regional Frameworks meet the priorities and targets as set within the National Operational Programme (OP), the development and management of London's ESF Regional Framework is carried out by the LDA.

All Co-Financing Organisation (CFO) activity is monitored and approved regionally through the regional committee, chaired by the Mayor, to ensure it meets the needs of the region as set out in the ESF Regional Framework.

The London Development Agency (LDA) has two distinct roles in relation to ESF:

1. LDA European Programmes Management Unit (EPMU)
   EPMU is responsible for overall management of ESF in London,
2. LDA Co-financing Organisation (CFO)
   The LDA is one of four CFOs responsible for the distribution of ESF funds at a regional level (co-financed with their own domestic funding). CFOs contract with organisations that deliver ESF projects on the ground.