The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is one of The North East Regional Portal's most important partners. It part-funds the North East Regional Portal and its projects.

Here is a simple guide to ERDF.

What is ERDF?
It was set up 1975 to stimulate economic development in the least prosperous regions of the European Union (EU). As EU membership has grown, the ERDF has developed into a major instrument for helping to redress regional imbalances. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister manages the ERDF in England. 

Download an introductory guide.

What does ERDF fund?

ERDF resources are mainly used to co-finance:

• productive investment leading to the creation or maintenance of jobs.
• Infrastructure.
• local development initiatives and the business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises.

In practice, all development areas are covered: transport, communication technologies, energy, the environment, research and innovation, social infrastructure, training, urban redevelopment and the conversion of industrial sites, rural development, the fishing industry, tourism and culture.

Who can apply?
ERDF is aimed at economic regeneration projects promoted primarily by the public sector.

This involves:

• Government departments
• Regional Development Agencies (RDAs)
• Local authorities
• Further and higher education establishments
• Other public bodies
• Voluntary sector organisations

This by no means excludes the private sector, which promotes and helps to fund high quality projects that meet ERDF objectives.

Generally, it does not pay grants direct to profit-making private sector companies. But in certain circumstances, the fund can help to develop small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It encourages private sector companies to present applications in partnership with a public sector body.

More detailed guidance on the involvement of private sector bodies click here.

You may also wish to consult the summaries of the regional programmes currently being implemented. Click here to find out more

How do you apply for ERDF?
The first step is to approach the Government Office for your region. Click here to visit Government Office North East. It can advise you on potential projects and can provide application forms and information packs.

How is ERDF spent?
Help from ERDF is limited to projects offering substantial benefits which meet the needs of an area and thatwould not take place without a grant.

The sort of measures that it generally support include:

• Investment in sites and facilities for industry and business, help for SMEs, and support for research and development and capital works associated with vocational training. These are all designed to encourage permanent jobs in regions with high unemployment.
• Infrastructure projects which aid the regions' economic development.
• Local initiatives to promote regional economic development.
• Tourism and cultural projects
• Environmental protection and improvement measures which are linked to regional economic development.

What has the ERDF achieved in England?
The ERDF has helped a wide variety of projects - from large public works to small local initiatives. All are designed to benefit the regional or local economy. ERDF-aided projects have:

• Encouraged industrial development and provided workplaces by reclaiming land, refurbishing buildings and providing services to open up sites.
• Improved public transport access as well as road, rail and inland waterway networks, to support business and tourism.
• Encouraged the setting up and growth of SMEs.
• Encouraged tourism by improving or developing attractions and providing facilities for tourists themselves.
• Improved the local environment to make areas more attractive to business and visitors.
• Supported local communities in developing economic strategies.

For more information on ERDF contact Government Office for the North East.