The majority of EU’s funding budget is through five major funds:

1.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - imbalances between regions. Its key themes include innovation research, support for SMEs and digital technologies.

2.European Social Fund (ESF)- Access to employment and professional skills.

3.European Cohesion Fund (ECF) - Reduce economic and social disparities between EU members. Its key themes are transport infrastructure and energy.

4.European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) - Improve the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry. Its key themes are boosting economic activity and quality of life in rural areas.

5.European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) -Supports the transition to sustainable fishing. Its key theme help coastal communities diversify their economy.

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) - An exchange programme for new and aspiring entrepreneurs, and 

Creative Europe - Provides support for the cultural, creative and media sectors.
 

•Regional Assemblies (Southern and Northern & Western) manage ERDF in Ireland

•Regional Assemblies act as the contact points.

•Cross Border:

–Ireland/Northern Ireland/Scotland Programme

–Ireland/Wales Programme

Transnational:

Atlantic Area Programme

Northern Periphery and Arctic Programme (NPA)

North West Europe Programme

Inter-regional:

Interreg EUROPE Programme (EU 28 MS)

ESPON

URBACT

•Key areas - activation of the unemployed, social inclusion, education and youth employment. 

•Supports a range of courses, schemes and projects

•Assistance channelled through Government Departments and Agencies

•Details of ESF support can be found at http://www.esf.ie/en/

•€1.2 billion of Cohesion policy funding - Ireland 2014-2020. 

•€951 million for ERDF) and ESF co-funded programmes.

•Balance to European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) programmes, e.g INTERREG and PEACE  Programmes

•More information on European Cohesion Fund at http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/information/publications/factsheets/2014/cohesion-policy-and-ireland

The main programmes : LEADER Programme, Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS), Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes II (TAMS II), The Burren Programme, The Organic Farming Scheme, and European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs)

•More information at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/ruralenvironment/ruraldevelopment/ruraldevelopmentprogramme2014-2020/SummaryBookletSept16290916.pdf

•Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for managing this fund

•Details at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/seafood/marineagenciesandprogrammes/emff/EMFFOPSummary251116.pdf

•EYE for new entrepreneurs - less than 3 years of business experience or planning to start up a business.

•A placement, 1-3 months to another European country company supported by monthly grant. 

•There are currently 5 participating partners in Ireland http://www.erasmus-entrepreneurs.eu/page.php?cid=5&pid=018&ctr=IE&country=Ireland

•Creative Europe Ireland provides funding under 3 headings:

–Culture:  arts, craft, design and heritage fields across Europe to reach new audiences and to develop skills needed. 

–Media: supports European film and audio-visual industries in development, distribution and promotion.

–Cross Sector: funding for activities common to both above.

•information at http://www.creativeeuropeireland.eu/

•Horizon 2020 - EU research and innovation programme.

•€80 billion 2014-2020

•Take ideas from the lab to the market.

•Dedicated portal for Ireland at http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm?pg=country-profiles-detail&ctry=ireland

•Strong participation by SMEs 20% of the budget for SMEs

•A dedicated activity for research-intensive and Innovation in SMEs

•For more Information: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/sites/horizon2020/files/Facsheet_SME_H2020_Nov2015.pdf

1.Be clear about your field of expertise and capabilities

2.Align your proposal to EU’s priorities

3.Align your proposal to your organisation’s strategy

4.Get in touch with your national contact point

5.Attend information days for particular funding calls.

6.Subscribe to the RSS feed for relevant calls and Scan for open calls

7.Get assistance in the preparation of a competitive proposal

8.Check if you can benefit from national subsidies to help you make your project proposal

•In Ireland more information can be found at http://eufunds.gov.ie/

•Find out more about LEADER funding in other EU countries at https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/leader-clld_en

•The European LAG database can be found at https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/general-info/whos-who/rural-assembly-category_en#leader