The majority of the time it’s the application process itself. Rather than encouraging businesses to take advantage of funding programmes, many application and approval systems are deterring companies that could benefit greatly from the funding available.

Projects submitted have to meet an extremely high quality threshold, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But having to re-write applications until the required standards are met means businesses are spending vast amounts of time making largely cosmetic changes and poor success rates are deterring potential applicants.

So what can businesses do to access money they may be entitled to? It isn’t a case of going “cap in hand” but finding the right avenues to explore potential funding opportunities.

The first port of call should definitely be a National Facilitator. Who? Exactly!.....

Newport & Gwent Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise & Industry is working with other Chambers of Commerce in Wales to deliver the National Facilitators Project, helping the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) to maximise the participation of Welsh businesses in European Structural Fund programmes.

The Chamber manages two of the seven National Facilitators who together cover seven of the twenty two unitary authorities in Wales. Between them, Jeff Harris and John Owen cover Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Newport, Torfaen, the Vale of Glamorgan and, of course, Monmouthshire.

The National Facilitator for Monmouthshire is John Owen. John covers Objectives 2 & 3 areas and to date has assisted more than 20 businesses in obtaining funding and has helped to create 240 jobs.

Roles of National Facilitator

The roles of the National Facilitator may only be recently established, but statistics demonstrate there are already significant results in applications submitted. Chambers of Commerce, including your local Chamber in Monmouth, are constantly lobbying on behalf of local businesses to ease the menace of red tape and they anticipate making the road to funding that little bit easier for you – the Facilitators are a necessary link between the SME and this funding.

Although the delivery of this project will be invaluable to the SME in Monmouth, it is important that expectations are not raised about accessing huge pots of money. However, as well as assist with Objectives 1, 2 & 3 Funding, the National Facilitators are able to signpost businesses to other potential sources of funding and to various business support organisations for advice and assistance………... so let them!

John Owen can be accessed through Newport & Gwent Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise & Industry by calling (01633) 222 664.

What funding is available on the National Facilitators Project?

The 4 main funds which are available are:

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• European Social Fund (ESF)
• European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)
• Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG)

WEFO’s Primary aim is to ensure Wales derives the maximum benefit from funding programmes and regeneration funds in order to:

• Promote sustainable economic growth
• Increase prosperity in all parts of Wales
• Reduce disparities within Wales
• Tackle inequality, inactivity and social exclusion.

What are Objectives 1, 2 & 3?

• Objective 1 promotes the development and structural adjustment of regions whose economic development is lagging behind. West Wales and the Valleys GDP is less than 75% of the EU average. [Contains all four funds – ERDF, ESF, FIFG, EAGGF]
• Objective 2 Targets those areas hardest hit by industrial decline, where traditional industries no longer compete successfully causing social and economic hardship and dislocation for the workforce. East Wales ( Powys) has parts where the average rate of unemployment and the percentage of industrial employment are higher than the EU average. [Contains ERDF]
• Objective 3 Combats long term unemployment and assists young people and those at risk of social exclusion. Promotes equal opportunities, adaptability and entrepreneurship in the workforce. Improves training, education and counselling for life long learning. All areas of Wales outside Objective 1. [Contains ESF.]