A new
This 'Innovation Fund East Netherlands' was designed to help improve access to finance for the region's most promising entrepreneurs during the global economic crisis.
The fund manager, Participatiemaatschappij Oost (PPM Oost), provided equity and loans that many banks, venture capitalists, and business angels were considering too high risk.
PPM Oost also offered networking, training, and coaching opportunities. Results led to 33 SMEs investing EUR 25.7 million which created 325 new jobs.
Practical advice for managing authorities about financial instrument reporting requirements have been provided recently through a new type of advisory service from
In our online learning seminar, European Commission experts explained how to fulfil the mandatory reporting obligations required under Article 46 of the Common Provisions Regulation (No 1303/2013, CPR), using video presentations and a series of
Managing authorities were invited to submit their questions about the reporting requirements and template sections in advance of the seminar. This helped to address a wide range of queries from Member States on different topics related to reporting.
Fisheries financial instruments will be given prominence during an EU conference in October that is considering the future of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. A dedicated workshop on financial instruments has been organised in Estonia on October 13 as part of the 'Beyond 2020: Supporting Europe's Coastal Communities' conference.
Our fi‑compass publications library includes a case study from the London Green Fund (LGF). It explains how this financial instrument used the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to successfully support much‑needed investments in environmental infrastructure.
This ERDF financial instrument contributes directly to reducing carbon emissions and it received international recognition earlier this year when its urban development achievements were discussed at the C40 Financing Sustainable Cities Forum. The story behind this success was told by the LGF fund managers and the Greater London Authority (GLA), the ERDF Intermediate Body.
Simon White from the GLA explained how the financial instrument was primarily driven by targets for minimising carbon emissions and waste within the city's urban regeneration plan, saying: "There were lots of projects that needed to be delivered, and there were lots of finance that needed to be secured to enable those to happen."
A solution to this challenge involved a shift in approach to develop a fund that used the ERDF as investment finance to support infrastructure projects.
Estonia, currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, hosted our sixth EAFRD
