Chapter 3 The Regional Programmes of Innovative Actions The aim of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes of Innovative Actions20 is to boost regional competitiveness and sustainable development by placing innovation at the centre of regional development strategies. The programmes offer an opportunity outside the mainstream Structural Funds to experiment with activities that are out of the ordinary or to work in different, often new, types of partnerships in three key areas: technology and knowledge based economy; the information society; and sustainable development and regional identity.
3.1 The 2000-2006 programming period A new programme approach for ERDF innovative actions was introduced in January 2001 for the funding period 2000-2006 with a simplified application process. A feature of the new system has been an element of competition between regions: in order to secure ERDF co-funding, a region’s proposal must demonstrate quality and a genuine regional strategy for innovation backed by a strong regional partnership including the private sector and small and medium-sized businesses in particular.
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Website for information: http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_ policy/innovation/index_en.htm
The amount available for ERDF innovative actions is 0.4% of the annual ERDF budget or approximately €400 million over the entire period 2000-06. Individual programmes can be awarded ERDF co-funding of between a minimum of €0.3 million and a maximum of €3 million. The total value of ERDF co-funding approved for the 139 programmes by October 2004 was €346 million. When the contribution from the public and private sectors in the regions is added, this rises to a total volume of roughly €660 million. On average, the ERDF has contributed 52% of the total budget of the programmes, the public sector (regional and national) 34% and the private sector 14%.
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