Successful Funding Applications ERDF

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Successful Funding Applications ERDF 23
September 2008 Ray Wilkinson Development
Director, Strategic Development University of
East London r.wilkinson_at_uel.ac.uk
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Agenda

• Introductions
• ERDF what it is , when its next available
• UEL - what weve used ERDF for
• managing ERDF
• our strategic context
• Top Tips
• UEL
• LDA
• Questions

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jargon
jargon n 1 a characteristic language of a
particular group (as among thieves) "they don't
speak our lingo" syn cant, slang, lingo, argot,
patois, vernacular 2 a colorless (or pale
yellow or smoky) variety of zircon syn jargoon
3 specialized technical terminology
characteristic of a particular subject
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ERDF is very bureaucratic
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extremely
ERDF is very bureaucratic
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What is it? How Much? When
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What is it.

• About economic developmentnot people
  development
• Activity to improve economic base.not policy or
  research
• Output driventypically consultancy type support
  to SMEs

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What is it.

• Predominately a revenue fund..not capital
• Does not fund 100 .typically only 45 of
  project cost
• Exact cost methodologynot consultancy rates, or
  FEC

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What is it.

• A European fund.allocated and managed regionally
• Originally for less prosperous regions of
  EU.now in all English regions
• Last London programme geographically
  specific.now pan London

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2007-2013, How Much

• 23.7 million South east
• 110.9 million East of England
• 124.7 million South West
• 181.9 million London
• 268.5 million East Midlands
• 375.7 million North East
• 399.9 million West Midlands
• 583.6 million Yorkshire Humberside
• 755.5 million North West

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Next London Round
Next Round Launch late Oct 08 (subject to
approval) London Priority 1 Business innovation
and research and promoting eco-efficiency. London
Priority 2 Access to new markets and access to
finance. Unlikely to be an
Expression of Interest Stage
Likely bid submission date Feb 09


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The LDA are.
very keen to receive applications from the
F/HE sector - particularly for Priority 1
activity - business innovation and research
promoting eco-efficiency 


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• ERDF at UEL
• Track record
• Managing ERDF
• Extracting Strategic Value

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ERDF at UEL
empower
ProductDesignLab
Enterprise Bureau 1 2
Sim Lab
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ERDF at UEL - 2008
Contract negotiation stage with LDA
Eureka Innovation Associates Innovation for
Growth Light Bulb Express
Passed Expression of Interest stage with
EEDA
Knowledge Thurrock Innovation Associates
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Managing ERDF
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(No Transcript)
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Managing ERDF its not just process
Internal partnership of experts development
managers, academics, innovation and enterprise
managers, students External partnerships other
HEIs, further education, local and regional
public sector, government, business Initiating,
coordinating, supporting not always
leading!! Incremental, strategic opportunism
looking for win/wins Building up UEL as a
platform for innovation and enterprise and as a
place to do business
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Strategic Context
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Top tips for better bidding
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Top Tips - UEL
Plan exit strategy from the start otherwise
money in money out Read the bloody guidance! Be
clear how a project will contribute to corporate
strategy. Sometimes saying no this is a bad
idea we are not going to bid is a sound strategy.
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Top Tips - UEL
Ensure finance department knows what you are
doing, and are on-board Build in budget
flexibility but within rules, cf guidance
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Top Tips - UEL
Keep meticulous records from the start and
persecute those that dont with fire and the
sword. Resource project management and project
accountabilities. Both are skills, both are
vital, dont skimp. Make sure marketing know the
ERDF logo has to go on everything
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Top Tips -LDA
Be clear and demonstrate what the ERDF added
value will be ERDF mustnt replace existing
or planned streams of domestic expenditure Applic
ants need to be aware that ERDF funding is not
secured until the conclusion of contract
negotiations publicise a project before you
sign the contract at your own risk
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Top Tips -LDA
Sometimes applicants submit applications saying
match is place when it is not, this delays
negotiations and project start dates. You cannot
claim activity for ERDF before a contract has
been signed. Projects can be audited long after
they have ended, so robust audit trails are
necessary
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Any Questions..?