DAILY POST January 28, 2009
European Funding
ADVERTISING FEATURE
23
In association with
Helping Wales to face the downturn W
ITH the current global economic downturn taking its toll on all parts of Wales, our ability to access and use European Structural Funds effectively to help our communities is more important than ever before. Communities in Gwynedd, Ynys Môn, Denbighshire, Conwy and Ceredigion, as well as South West Wales and the Valleys, have been awarded the highest level of support through Convergence – with a total extra investment of £3.6bn available until 2013. As a smaller country, we are already acting rapidly and ‘joining up’ policies to secure the greatest positive impact. And EU funding gives Wales an extra edge – a great asset in these difficult times. It means that we can back our tailor-made policies with hard cash – drawing in resources from Brussels to support a wide range of beneficial measures. Overall direction is managed by the Welsh Assembly Government, through my Department’s Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO). But design and delivery of projects on the ground is in the hands of partnerships and organisations across the private, public and third sectors. The latest round of Structural Funds programmes have a clearer focus on sustainable economic growth and job creation. To improve the impact of the programmes, we will have fewer, more strategic projects, with more streamlined management arrangements. In terms of focus, there is a greater emphasis on research and development, support for businesses, helping people into work and improving skills. We are also putting resources into tackling
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport, discusses the importance of accessing European funding, particularly in the current economic climate
Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones climate change and regenerating our most deprived communities. Some of the projects we are supporting will be particularly useful during the current economic downturn. For example, the ReAct programme will help more than 12,000 redundant workers gain new employment or training, using over £15m from the European Social Fund. The All-Wales Business
Start Up scheme will help the launch of 8,000 new enterprises, using more than £17m from the European Regional Development Fund. We are extending the Want to Work scheme across Wales, providing over 20,000 new opportunities and the £70m Genesis Cymru Wales 2 programme will help a further 20,000 people who have been out of work for some time to overcome barriers to training and
employment. I am determined that, wherever possible, the EU programmes in Wales will drive forward innovation and develop the contribution of our world-class centres of learning. Last week, for example, I was delighted to announce the £2m GEMS (Growth in Environmental Marine Science) project for North Wales. This will help graduates and enterprises in this innovative sector to increase their global competitiveness – and it is led by the private sector. Devolution has given us the advantage of fast and flexible decision taking. For example, Wales has been able to respond rapidly to recent fluctuations in the exchange rate, maximising the use of available resources. Because the EU component of the funding is valued in euros, its sterling equivalent has risen substantially during recent months. In response to this, WEFO has approved 215 project extensions and new projects worth £52m over the past year alone. Given the magnitude of the global downturn, we have been working to deploy the programmes’ funds as quickly as possible. During 2008, WEFO has paid out over £170m to project sponsors across Wales. Since the launch of the new programmes just over a year ago, we have committed over 30% of the available EU grant – some £520m and over £1bn of total project investment – and I want us to hit 50% of EU grant commitment by the end of the year This includes bringing forward investment in infrastructure – an investment that will help to boost sustainable jobs and growth at a difficult time, while preparing Wales for the economic upturn that will follow.
Preswylfa senior project officer Alexis Roberts with baby Byron and his mum Mandy
Getting real people back into real jobs THE £13.4m North West Wales Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) project will receive £6m of Convergence funding to provide the unemployed with “real work experience”, job search support, interview skills and personal development training for up to 12 months. Led by Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the project will build on the success of the previous ILM programme, supported by Objective 1, which helped nearly 1,200 economically inactive people back into the job market. Operating throughout north west Wales, it will also help people facing multiple barriers to work, including those who have a disability or people leaving care. Targeted at areas of greatest deprivation, the project will focus on reaching people not using mainstream employment services or who are at risk of becoming dependent on benefits. Alexis Roberts is one of the ILM success stories. She used to be a hairdresser but found herself unemployed when an accident occurred that prevented her from working in the salon. In 2006, she heard about the ILM scheme Pobl@gwaith run by Pennaf Ltd, and secured a
place. Alexis undertook an 18-week course, made up of classroom learning followed by a practical placement. Her placement took her to the Foyer Housing project in Wrexham, a scheme for homeless people, aged 16-24, which is managed by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, part of the Pennaf Housing Group. She was successful in obtaining a full-time job as a project officer in a the new Preswylfa unit in The Foyer building, which has one section for homeless adults and another specifically for homeless mums and babies. Several months later, the opportunity arose for a senior project officer post, and she has been working in the role ever since. She said: “The ILM project changed my life enormously, without the scheme I would never have considered a career in social care. It gave me the chance to contribute to society again and has given me a challenge. “As well as practical and professional skills and work experience, the Pobl@Gwaith ILM training helped me to value myself as a person and that is something I hope I can pass on by supporting those who come to live at Preswylfa.”
Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Cronfa Datblygu Rhanbarthol Ewrop Cronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop Europe & Wales: Investing in your Future European Regional Development Fund European Social Fund
24
January 28, 2009 DAILY POST
Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Cronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop Cronfa Datblygu Rhanbarthol Ewrop
Europe & Wales: Investing in your Future European Social Fund European Regional Development Fund
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Funds will boost economy O
VER the next seven years, people across Wales are set to benefit from more than £1.7bn of European funding that will be used to create jobs and boost economic growth. Together with match funding, the European Structural Funds programmes 2007–2013 will channel around £3.6bn of total investment into the Welsh economy. The new 2007-2013 programmes, which include the Convergence programmes for West Wales and the Valleys – the successor to Objective 1 – and the Regional Competitiveness and Employment programmes for East Wales, will focus on getting people into work and provide opportunities for more training and gaining new skills. They will also support activities that boost enterprise and innovation, tackle climate change and regenerate the region’s most deprived communities. The start of the new round of programmes marks a new era in Europe’s investment in Wales. Through a seven-year development plan, the investment will be ploughed
Paul Freeman (left), project leader at the Growth in Environmental Marine Sciences project, with Ieuan Wyn Jones into transforming the Welsh economy, in line with the Welsh Assembly Government’s strategies, to create a thriving, enterprising region at the cutting edge of sustainable development. The investment will be used to build on the success of the Objective 1, 2 and 3
programmes 2000-2006, ensuring a brighter future for businesses, communities and the people of Wales, particularly those in the less prosperous areas of West Wales and the Valleys, a region that includes the four north west Wales counties of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy and
Brian Owen of Owen Electrical Installation Services, Holyhead, who received Start Up support under the 2000-2006 European Structural Fund programmes
Denbighshire. One project benefiting is the £2m Growth in Environmental Marine Sciences (GEMS) project, which has been allocated £1m of Convergence funding to enhance the specialist knowledge and services in the marine science sector across Wales, to deliver cutting-edge projects around the world. Led by the Bridge Marine Science Group, based at Menai Bridge, GEMS is expected to create over 100 new jobs, assisting 92 graduates to start up enterprises in the marine and aquatic science sector. It will also assist more than 400 other enterprises to work together to increase their global business opportunities. Paul Freeman, project leader, said: “GEMS will improve the capacity of SMEs by providing support, business development and networking opportunities to strengthen the cluster of businesses in this specialist field as well as forging a culture of entrepreneurship amongst graduates.” The OPTIC Technium – an opto-electronics technology and incubation centre at St Asaph Business Park that has helped to drive the Welsh economy – has been a major recipient of European funding. The centre received European funding of £12m towards the total project cost of £22m involved in establishing the OpTIC to continuously generate new, high technology business and quality jobs and play a major role in sustaining and growing the Welsh
Nadeem Rizvi, managing director of Laser Micromachining Ltd, a SME at the OpTIC Technium Opto-electronics companies in north west Wales. It is the first of its kind in the UK and helps to build cutting-edge skills and expertise in Wales. Nadeem Rizvi, managing director of Laser Micromachining Ltd, a SME at the OpTIC Technium, said: “Laser Micromachining Ltd decided to relocate to the OpTIC Technium in 2007 and has expanded its operation significantly since then. “Being at the OpTIC Technium has helped LML’s business in many ways – there is a strong support network provided by the Technium programme for all aspects of business development. “The facilities are world-class and showcase our leading-edge technologies very well, the wide-ranging activities within the centre expose our business to diverse industries and, not least, LML also benefits from other Assembly Government schemes. “The Technium environment allows technology and business to blend very effectively and this has contributed to the strong growth of LML. The wide-ranging customer base that LML has established since moving to OpTIC Technium is testament to the positive impact the Technium programme has had and the real economic benefits that the Assembly Government and European funding has brought to our sector. “LML continues to support the Technium programme and is in active discussions about
future expansion plans.” An All-Wales Business Start Up Project, worth £36m, is being supported with £18.5m of European funding from Convergence and Competitiveness programmes to help create more than 10,000 jobs and over 8,000 businesses. The project will provide a range of services to help new businesses take their first steps, including advice and support through workshops, online and outreach support. There will also be one-to-one assistance tailored for businesses with high growth potential. Brian Owen, of Owen Electrical Installations, Holyhead, received Start Up support under the 2000-2006 European Structural Funds programmes. He said: “After being made redundant, I saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the market and provide a highly specialised technical service to industry in Anglesey. “Without this service clients would have to look elsewhere for their industrial electrical installation needs. The support I received through the Start Up programme has enabled me to establish my own business and to quickly become operational. “Having a mentor on the other end of the phone has been a tremendous support. Although, it is early days I have plans to take on more staff and expand our services further into the North Wales area to cater for a growing market.” Mr Owen currently serves major clients in North Wales.
Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Cronfa Datblygu Rhanbarthol Ewrop Cronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop Europe & Wales: Investing in your Future European Regional Development Fund European Social Fund
25
DAILY POST January 28, 2009
Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Cronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop Cronfa Datblygu Rhanbarthol Ewrop
Europe & Wales: Investing in your Future European Social Fund European Regional Development Fund
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Help llaw i brosiectau Ewropeaidd yng Ngogledd Cymru Mae prosiect sy’n helpu sefydliadau i gael mynediad at arian Ewropeaidd wedi hen ddechrau gweithredu yng Ngogledd Cymru. Er mwyn denu buddsoddiad hollbwysig i’r rhanbarth, mae tîm wedi’i sefydlu i roi cymorth arbenigol a gwybodaeth i fusnesau, cymunedau a sefydliadau sy’n ceisio am gymorth ariannol gan Ewrop. Mae’r Tîm Ewropeaidd Gofodol (TEG) yn brosiect cydweithredol rhwng Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, Awdurdodau Lleol a Chyngor Gweithredu Gwirfoddol Cymru (CGGC) sydd wedi ei ariannu gan yr UE. Gan ddefnyddio’r arbenigedd a’r wybodaeth a ddatblygwyd yng nghylchoedd rhaglennu Ewropeaidd blaenorol, bydd y tîm yn cynnig gwasanaeth cydgysylltiedig, dibynadwy a gwybodus yn ardaloedd yr awdurdodau lleol ac yn rhanbarthol i’r rhai sy’n ceisio datblygu prosiectau wedi’u hariannu gan yr UE o dan raglenni Cydgyfeirio neu raglenni Cystadleurwydd a Chyflogaeth Rhanbarthol 2007–2013. Bydd hefyd yn helpu i adnabod anghenion a chyfleoedd ardaloedd penodol, yn unol â Chynllun Gofodol Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, ac yn helpu i sicrhau bod y defnydd gorau yn cael ei wneud o’r cyllid UE sydd ar gael drwy sicrhau bod yr arian yn mynd i’r lleoedd mwyaf priodol. Mae nifer o weithgareddau a phrosiectau eisoes yn cael eu datblygu sy’n gobeithio denu cyllid UE a rhoi hwb sylweddol i economi’r rhanbarth. Yn eu plith mae gweithgareddau i helpu pobl i gael gwaith ac i wella’u sgiliau, yn ogystal â gweithgareddau i ddarparu’r seilwaith a’r cymorth sydd eu hangen ar fusnesau i dyfu ac i ymsefydlu yn y rhanbarth. Mae’r gweithgareddau eraill yn cynnwys adfywio rhai o gymunedau mwyaf difreintiedig Gogledd Cymru a mesurau i fynd i’r afael â’r newid yn yr hinsawdd. Gyda chymorth y tîm a thrwy gydweithio â phartneriaid a sefydliadau o bob sector, bydd Gogledd Cymru yn gallu gwneud y defnydd gorau o’r cyllid Ewropeaidd sydd ar gael er mwyn helpu i sicrhau twf cynaliadwy a swyddi. Mae prosiectau tebyg wedi’u sefydlu yn rhanbarthau Canolbarth Cymru, De-orllewin Cymru a De-ddwyrain Cymru, yn ogystal â Thîm Ewropeaidd Trydydd Sector sy’n cael ei arwain gan CGGC.
Siroedd yn cydweithio i ddatblygu’r rhanbarth Mae awdurdodau lleol Gogledd Cymru yn parhau i elwa ar lwyddiannau rhaglenni Cronfeydd Strwythurol Ewropeaidd 20002006, gan gynnwys Amcan 1, a welodd tua £400 miliwn yn cael ei fuddsoddi ar draws y rhanbarth, ynghyd â buddsoddiadau eraill ddaeth yn sgil prosectiau strategol Cymru gyfan. Yn ystod cylch rhaglennu 2007–2013, bydd Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Sir Ddinbych a Chonwy yn gymwys ar gyfer rhaglen Gydgyfeirio
Nant Gwrtheyrn Gorllewin Cymru a’r Cymoedd, a bydd Wrecsam a Sir y Fflint yn cael cymorth trwy raglenni Cystadleurwydd a Chyflogaeth Rhanbarthol Dwyrain Cymru. O ran y dyfodol, mae awdurdodau lleol, mewn partneriaeth, yn canolbwyntio ar gyfres o weithgareddau strategol a fydd yn ymateb i’r dirywiad economaidd. Maent yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd cyllid a chymorth i fusnesau Cymru, yn ogystal â phwysigrwydd cymorth dechrau busnes a mesurau i helpu mentrau i fod yn fwy cystadleuol. Mae Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn yn arwain y ffordd o ran sicrhau cronfa fusnes newydd ar gyfer busnesau bach a chanolig (BBaCh), a bydd y gronfa hon yn gweithredu yn ardaloedd y pedwar awdurdod lleol Sir Ddinbych, Gwynedd, Conwy ac Ynys Môn. Mae cynghorau Sir y Fflint a Wrecsam hefyd yn cydweithio i wella, datblygu a hybu ffyniant economaidd, ariannol ac amgylcheddol busnesau yng Ngogledd-ddwyrain Cymru. Cynigir y cymorth hwn i fusnesau yn ychwanegol at y £47 miliwn sydd ar gael drwy gynllun Dechrau Busnes Cymru Gyfan Llywodraeth y Cynulliad. Ariennir y cynllun hwnnw gan yr UE i helpu busnesau ledled Cymru, gan gynnwys Gogledd-orllewin a Gogledd-ddwyrain Cymru. Mae datblygu safleoedd strategol ac adeiladau uchel eu hansawdd i helpu i greu mwy o fusnesau ac i alluogi busnesau i dyfu hefyd yn flaenoriaeth yng Ngogledd Cymru. Mae Conwy yn un awdurdod sy’n adeiladu ar ei lwyddiannau Amcan 1, ac mae arian Cydgyfeirio eisoes wedi’ neilltuo ar gyfer prosiect £5 miliwn Furnace Farm a fydd yn creu canolfan ragoriaeth i hyrwyddo bwydydd Cymreig. Bydd y ganolfan yn cryfhau’r cysylltiadau rhwng cynhyrchu a phrosesu bwyd a’r defnyddiwr er mwyn sicrhau dyfodol mwy cynaliadwy i ffermwyr a thyfwyr yng Ngogledd-orllewin Cymru.
Mae adfywio yn bwnc allweddol yn y rhanbarth ac mae Llywodraeth y Cynulliad mewn partneriaeth ag awdurdodau lleol yn llunio pecyn o brosiectau cydweithredol i gefnogi mentrau strategol Llywodraeth y Cynulliad a fydd yn gwella ardaloedd penodol fel Amlwch, Caergybi, Llangefni, Bangor, Caernarfon, Bae Colwyn a’r Rhyl – mae’r rhain i gyd wedi’u cydnabod gan Lywodraeth y Cynulliad yn ardaloedd adfywio strategol. Mae mesurau yn cael eu datblygu i wella economïau lleol yr ardaloedd hyn drwy adfywio ffisegol a chymdeithasol, a’r nod yw creu trefi a rhanbarthau lle y gall cymunedau fyw, gweithio a ffynnu. Dywedodd y Cynghorydd Dave Thomas, yr aelod arweiniol dros Adfywio yng Nghabinet Cyngor Sir Ddinbych, “Mae’r Rhaglen Gydgyfeirio yn cynnig cyfle pwysig arall i Sir Ddinbych fynd i’r afael â’r heriau economaidd sy’n wynebu’r sir ac i fanteisio ar sectorau newydd er budd ei chymunedau.” Mae gan Ogledd Cymru dreftadaeth ddiwylliannol a naturiol eithriadol, ac mae partneriaid yn cydweithio i ddiogelu’r amgylchedd ac i gynnal twf economaidd trwy ddiwydiannau fel twristiaeth. Mae gwaith yn cael ei gyflawni ar hyn o bryd ar draws y rhanbarth i sicrhau ein bod yn elwa cymaint â phosibl ar y manteision economaidd a all ddeillio o’n hasedau naturiol a diwylliannol. Un prosiect fydd yn helpu’r rhanbarth i dyfu trwy dwristiaeth ddiwylliannol yw Canolfan Nant Gwrtheyrn, Llithfaen, ym Mhen Ll_n yng Ngwynedd. Diolch i fuddsoddiad Cydgyfeirio o £1.2 miliwn, bydd £4 miliwn yn cael ei wario i weddnewid y Ganolfan. Bydd yn helpu i greu bron i 30 o swyddi a bydd y Ganolfan yn borth diwylliannol i ddysgwyr ac ymwelwyr . Mae Cyngor Gwynedd hefyd yn arwain y ffordd o ran datblygu ac estyn y fenter lwyddiannus ‘Llwyddo’n Lleol’ ar draws Gogleddorllewin Cymru er mwyn annog a helpu pobl ifanc mentrus i lwyddo mewn cyflogaeth neu hunangyflogaeth yn eu cymunedau. Yng Nghonwy mae dau brosiect posib arall yn cael eu datblygu fydd yn canolbwyntio ar anweithgarwch economaidd. Bydd un yn ceisio datblygu ffyrdd o ddarparu hyfforddiant sgiliau galwadigaethol i bobl ifanc o 14-19 oed, tra bydd yr ail brosiect yn ceisio darparu cefnogaeth dwys sy’n ymateb yn uniongyrchol i anghenion grwpiau dan anfantais. Mudiad arall a dderbyniodd arian Cydgyfeirio yw CGGC, sy’n arwain ar brosiect Marchnad Lafur Drosiannol Gogledd Cymru a’r prosiect Porth Ymgysylltu. Bydd y rhain gyda’i gilydd yn golygu buddsoddiad o £42 miliwn dros dair blynedd i helpu pobl economaidd anweithgar i gael gwaith yn yr ardal Gydgyfeirio. Dros y saith mlynedd nesaf, gyda chymorth arian Ewropeaidd, bydd awdurdodau lleol ar draws Gogledd Cymru yn parhau i ddarparu cynlluniau a fydd yn helpu i greu rhanbarth ffyniannus a dynamig; yn elwa i’r eithaf ar gyfleoedd i wella’u hasedau naturiol; yn datblygu mentrau i helpu pobl i gael gwaith a hyfforddiant; ac yn helpu busnesau i dyfu.
Os oes gennych gwestiynau ynghylch Rhaglenni Cydgyfeirio a Rhaglenni Cystadleurwydd a Chyflogaeth Gogledd Cymru dyma’r manylion cyswllt: Cydgyfeirio: Ynys Môn Sir Ddinbych
01248 752 451 01824 708 079
Conwy Gwynedd
01492 576011 01286 679343
Canolbarth Cymru
01970 613253
Cystadleurwydd a Chyflogaeth: Sir y Fflint 01352 703223 Wrecsam 01978 292454 Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru Gogledd Cymru 01745 586183 Llinell gymorth WEFO
0845 010 3355
Ar gyfer mudiadau’r trydydd sector: Desg Gymorth CGGC: 0800 2888 329
enquiries-wefo@cymru.gsi.gov.uk help@wcva.org.uk
26
January 28, 2009 DAILY POST
Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich Dyfodol Cronfa Gymdeithasol Ewrop Cronfa Datblygu Rhanbarthol Ewrop
Europe & Wales: Investing in your Future European Social Fund European Regional Development Fund
ADVERTISING FEATURE
A helping hand for EU projects in North Wales A project helping organisations to access European funding is well underway in North Wales. Established to bring vital investment into the region, a team is now on hand to provide expert assistance and information to businesses, communities and organisations that are looking for European funding support. The Spatial European Team (SET) is a collaborative EU funded project between the Welsh Assembly Government, Local Authorities and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA). Bringing together expertise and knowledge gained from previous European programming rounds, the team will provide a coordinated, reliable and well-informed service in respective local authority areas and at a regional level, to those seeking to develop EU-funded projects under the Convergence or Regional Competitiveness and Employment programmes 2007–2013. It will also help identify the needs and opportunities of particular areas, in line with the Assembly Government’s Wales Spatial Plan, and maximise the impact of the EU funding available by ensuring the funds go to the right places. Already work is underway on developing many activities and projects that hope to attract EU funding and, in turn, provide an invaluable boost to the region’s economy. These include activities to help people into work and improve their skills, as well as providing the right infrastructure and support for businesses to grow and set up within the region. Other activities include regenerating some of the most deprived communities of North Wales and measures to tackle climate change. With the team’s help and by working collaboratively with partners and organisations from across all sectors, North Wales will be in a strong position to maximise the European funding opportunities available to help achieve sustainable growth and jobs. Similar projects have also been set up for the Mid Wales, South West and South East Wales regions, as well as a third sector European team led by the WCVA.
Counties working together to deliver North Wales local authorities are capitalising on the successes of the 2000-2006 European Structural Funds programmes, including Objective 1, which saw some £400m total investment across the region, as well as other investments created by All-Wales strategic projects. During the 2007–2013 programming round, while Anglesey,
Nant Gwrtheyrn Gwynedd, Conwy, and Denbighshire qualify for Convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys, Wrexham and Flintshire will be supported through the Regional Competitiveness and Employment programmes for East Wales. Looking to the future, local authorities, in partnership, are focusing on a strategic suite of activities that will respond to the economic downturn. They recognise the importance of finance and support for Welsh businesses as well as providing start-up support and measures to help enterprises become more competitive. Anglesey County Council is leading the way on securing a new business fund for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) which will operate in the four local authority areas of Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Conwy and Anglesey. Flintshire and Wrexham Councils are also cooperating on actions which will enhance, develop and support the economic, financial and environmental prosperity of businesses in north east Wales. This support for businesses is in addition to the Welsh Assembly Government’s £47 million EU-funded All-Wales Business Start Up scheme which will help businesses across Wales, including the North West and North East of Wales. The development of high quality, strategic sites and premises to help create more businesses and enable businesses to grow is also a priority in North Wales. Conwy is just one authority that is building on its Objective 1 achievements, with Convergence funding already committed to the £5 million Furnace Farm project that will create a centre of excellence for the promotion of Welsh food. The centre will strengthen the links between food production, processing and the consumer to provide a more sustainable future for farmers and growers throughout North West Wales.
Regeneration is a key issue in the region and the Assembly Government in partnership with local authorities are drawing up a package of collaborative projects to support Assembly Government strategic initiatives which will bring improvements to specific areas such as Amlwch, Holyhead, Llangefni, Bangor, Caernarfon, Colwyn Bay and Rhyl – all recognised by the Assembly Government as strategic regeneration areas. Work is now underway on measures that will improve their local economies through physical and social regeneration, and, in turn, creating towns and regions in which communities can live, work and prosper. Councillor Dave Thomas, Denbighshire Council’s Cabinet lead member for Regeneration said, “The Convergence programme provides another major opportunity for Denbighshire to address the economic challenges facing the county and exploit new sectors for the benefit of its communities”. North Wales benefits from an outstanding cultural and natural heritage, with partners working collaboratively to protect the environment and sustain economic growth through industries like tourism. Currently actions are being actively developed across the area to maximise and capitalise on the economic benefit that can be derived from our natural and cultural assets. One such project that will help support the growth of the region through cultural tourism is the Nant Gwrtheyrn Centre, Llithfaen, on the Llyn Peninsula in Gwynedd. The centre, which will undergo a £4m transformation thanks to a £1.2 million Convergence investment, will help create nearly 30 jobs and become a cultural gateway for learners and visitors alike. Gwynedd Council is also currently leading on developing and extending the successful “Llwyddo’n Lleol” initiative across North West Wales to encourage and develop enterprising young people to succeed in employment or self-employment in their own communities. Two potential projects being developed by Conwy Council are focusing on economic inactivity. One will look to develop ways of providing vocational skills training for young people aged 14-19, and the second project is looking to provide tailored intensive support to disadvantaged groups to meet their assessed needs. Another organisation to successfully receive Convergence funding is the WCVA, which is leading on the North Wales Intermediate Labour Market and the Engagement Gateway projects. Together these projects will make a £42m investment over three years to support economically inactive people into employment in the Convergence area. Over the next seven years, with the help of European funding, local authorities across North Wales will continue to deliver schemes that will help build a thriving, dynamic region, maximising the opportunities to enhance its natural assets and develop initiatives to help people into work and training, as well as supporting business to expand and grow.
For queries on Convergence or Competitiveness and Employment Programmes in North Wales please contact: Convergence: Anglesey Denbighshire
01248 752 451 01824 708 079
Conwy Gwynedd
01492 576011 01286 679343
Mid Wales
01970 613253
Competitiveness and Employment: Flintshire 01352 703223 Wrexham 01978 292454 Welsh Assembly Government: North Wales 01745 586183 WEFO Helpline:
0845 010 3355
For third sector organisations: WCVA Helpdesk: 0800 2888 329
enquiries-wefo@wales.gsi.gov.uk help@wcva.org.uk