North West Regional Action Plan - Introduction

Previously there were two regional Action Plans within the Objective 2 NW Programme, with the NWDA (Manchester Enterprises as Managing Agents) delivering the North West Innovation and Specialist Business Support Action Plan, and the NWUA, the Knowledge Based Action Plan. The current Regional Action Plan builds on these two successful Phase 1 Action Plans, and addresses the Objective 2 Programme's regional needs as identified in the mid term evaluations and in later discussions with GONW of the Phase 1 Action Plans.

It is the view that one Regional Action Plan offers better value for money and economies of scale in delivery, builds further synergy, offers access to a wider partnership and better linkages between HEIs and SMEs, and will act to harness the collaboration between the NWDA and NWUA. Larger and more innovative projects are delivering within this Action Plan, this ensuring that more bespoke and specialist assistance is available to SMEs, ensuring linkages to other projects and specialist advisory groups, and avoiding any duplication of provision within the North West region.

Within the Action Plan there is a heavy emphasis on increased support for innovation, ensuring businesses draws on technology from the science base, through collaborative research and development between businesses and universities, and knowledge transfer networks across the UK.

The RAP will help drive the agenda for synergy and coherence in the development of regional thematic services across the boundaries of the Business Links areas, and will deliver additionality by supporting specific thematic activities across a number of key areas.

This Action Plan covers the tightly defined Objective 2 areas within the North West of England, covering Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria. The Action Plan will complement sub regional action plans within these regions bringing closer synergy and linkages with local and regional identified needs.

The Regional Action Plan (RAP) will cover Measures 1, 2, 3, 4 and within Priority 1 and Measures 3.1 (knowledge transfer) and 3.2 (tourism and the natural economy) within Priority 3. The NWDA will be the accountable body for the RAP, with Manchester Enterprises and the North West University Association being managing agents for the NWDA.

• Manchester Enterprises manage Priority 1 Measures 1, 2, 3 and 5, Priority 3 Measure 2.
• North West Universities Association manage Priority 1 Measure 4, Priority 3 Measure 1.

The Measure breakdown of the allocated £39.42 million Priority 1 ERDF is as follows:

• M1.1 - Creation and Establishment of Entrepreneur Business Starts (ERDF) - £1.0 million
• M1.2 – Increasing Competitiveness pf Established SMEs (ERDF) - £6.5 million
• M1.3 - Access to Investment Finance for Growth SMEs (ERDF) -£5.7 million
• M1.4 – Developing the Regional Knowledge Economy: Supporting Business to Innovation and Networking (ERDF) - £23.72 million
• M1.5 – Investment in Premises for New and Expanding SMEs (ERDF) - £2.5 million

The measure breakdown of the allocated £19.23 million, Priority 3 ERDF is as follows: -

• M3.1 – Developing Strategic Employment Opportunities - £8.13 million
• M3.2 – Maximising the economic potential of the North West's Natural, Cultural And Other Heritage Assets (ERDF) - £11.1 million

The 'Cross Cutting themes' (CCTs) of Equal Opportunities, Information Society and Sustainable Development are regarded by the European Commission as being key in raising the quality of the projects delivered within the Objective 2/3 Programmes.

The NWRA has set up a website at www.bestpracticenw.eu, which sets out to share the best practice gained within the North West of England over the life of the programme so far, to guide and shape any current or forthcoming projects and to ensure that future programmes (regardless of funders) have the benefit of these experiences.