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European
funding for West of Scotland
More than 3,800 jobs are expected to be created in
Western Scotland by European funding worth £17.2 million announced today.
 Deputy
Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Minister Allan Wilson was in Port
Glasgow to officially launch INVEST Port Glasgow, a project designed to help
businesses and households become more aware of the economic benefits of
being energy efficient and security conscious.
Inverclyde Energy and Safety Team (INVEST) is already receiving European
funding.
Mr Wilson said:
"Today's announcement is a tremendous example of the benefits European
funding can bring to communities in Western Scotland.
I am delighted to be able to launch the INVEST Port Glasgow project in the
town. The project will provide services to many businesses and every
household in Port Glasgow, helping them to reduce energy bills and improve
security and safety.
"It is fitting that the launch is being held at the St Stephen's Enterprise
Centre, a fabulous community facility again supported by cash from Europe.
Finally, I am also able to confirm today that more projects in Western
Scotland will benefit from similar investment.
"Every time I visit a project supported by European money I am reminded of
the real difference this funding makes. The money is used by our public
sector partners to create jobs, support training schemes and underpins our
drive for community regeneration.
"INVEST Port Glasgow and the St Stephen's Centre are practical and
impressive examples of how European investment is benefiting Scotland. The
new projects supported by today's announcement will continue this good
work."
Examples of the projects in the latest round of awards from the European
Social Fund and European Regional Development Fund include:
Full Employment Areas Initiative: An award of £507,527 is being made to
Glasgow City Council. This project will operate over a three year period in
the Social Inclusion Partnership areas of Greater Easterhouse, Greater
Pollok and North Glasgow.
Project staff will build up the trust and confidence of individuals and
families in these areas and inform individuals about work or training
opportunities. An important feature is continuing to provide support to
individuals as they move on to and sustain employment. Around 1,200
residents are expected to benefit
Scottish Energy Systems Group, University of Strathclyde, has assisted local
companies to adopt IT systems for the design of low energy buildings. This
project is an expansion of the existing operation with a further £176,831 of
ERDF funding, creating 30 new jobs directly related to environmental
activity and assisting 120 businesses in areas of most need relating to the
environmental sector
Alternatives West Dunbartonshire Drug Service: Mr Wilson also announced
European funding for Alternatives West Dunbartonshire Drug Service through
the URBAN II Programme of £229,058. The money is part of a funding package
of £458,116 in the South Clydebank area which will see assistance given to
those suffering from drug misuse or associated problems. This project is
specifically aimed at addressing the barriers that beneficiaries face in
re-entering the labour market
INVEST Port Glasgow, a social economy organisation, has been operating in
Inverclyde since 1997.
It will provide services to 40 businesses and every household in Port
Glasgow and will aim to reduce household and business energy costs, increase
comfort and reduce CO2 emissions, improve household and business security to
reduce crime and the fear of crime and provide services to improve household
safety.
Since 1989, European Funds have invested over £1,000 million in the Western
Scotland economy.
Projects supported include developments at Loch Lomond, the Glasgow Science
Centre and the Euro freight terminal at Mossend. The current 2000-2006
Western Scotland Objective 2 Programme will invest £300 million of European
Funds in the area by December 2006. Funds are targeted on encouraging job
creation in areas with urban problems and declining traditional industries.
3. The projected outcomes for the latest round of funding are:
Total Number of Jobs Created 3,835
Total Number of Businesses Assisted 2,684
Total square metres of training/business facilities enhanced/created 12,435
Number of training places Provided 908
A further £8 million will be invested in the communities of South Clydebank
and Port Glasgow by December 2006 from the URBAN
II Community Initiative fund. This fund is targeted on areas to offset the
social and economic problems associated with the decline of traditional
industries.
Over 800 economic and social regeneration projects have been supported under
the current European Programmes since 2000.
These projects funded under both programmes have three common goals:
help individuals retrain or gain the skills to enter the labour market
support small and medium sized businesses expand and look for new markets
improve the infrastructure for economic development
European Funds consist of two sources of investment. The European Social
Fund supports training for people working or looking for work in the region.
The European Regional Development Fund provides assistance for people to
start or grow businesses, to develop sites and premises for businesses, to
upgrade tourism facilities, or to support community economic regeneration
St Stephen's Enterprise Centre, the scene of today's announcement, has
received a total of £377,265 European funding creating a facility which
supports local businesses and provides training and IT services for the
community.
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