Site updated 06-05-06

ODPM Matchfunding Scheme

North West Europe Call for Applications - Request for Match Funding

The current North West Europe programme call for project applications closes on 4 October. In line with this call ODPM has considered requests for the possibility of further ODPM match funding assistance. Limited funds are now available and applications to 'Match Funding' suitable projects for this call, will be considered, in particular for projects which demonstrate synergy with ODPM Sustainable Communities policies and which are successful in attracting ERDF funding. To qualify applicants should also be aware that any match funds awarded under this round will need to be spent by the end of March 2006.

Enquiries and applications should be made to Walter Bernard in the International Planning Unit at ODPM: telephone 020 7944 5482 mail address,  walter.bernard@odpm.gsi.gov.uk

Background
The ODPM, International Planning Unit established a Match-Funding Scheme in 2003 to support UK projects wishing to develop Spatial Planning projects under the North Sea Region, Atlantic Area and North West Europe INTERREG IIIB programmes.

About the Schemes
INTERREG IIIB projects are based on complex transnational partnerships and Match-Funding is often difficult to find. As a result, the ODPM Scheme was established as a pump-priming opportunity to assist UK partners. The funding was available to any UK organisations seeking to plug a gap in their funding in advance of their European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) application being submitted to Programme Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS).

Criteria
Click here for Match-Funding related documents
All applicants wishing to be considered for a Match-Funding grant were expected to submit their ODPM application forms at least one month in advance of the close for calls of the ERDF application being submitted to the respective JTS. The key to securing ODPM funding was for applicants to meet the key criteria against which the project would be assessed and deemed successful. To qualify for ODPM financial support, applicants were expected to demonstrate successfully that their proposals were clearly in line with the Regional Spatial Strategy/Regional Planning Guidance of the home region of the applicant or Devolved Administration equivalent, non-planning Regional Strategies such as Regional Economic Strategies and key national policies e.g. The ODPM Communities Plan. Project applications assessments were considered by planning specialists in both ODPM and Devolved Administrations, Government Office staff, specialist's policy advisors across other Central Government Departments and Government Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental public bodies such as English Heritage and the Environment Agency.

Successful Applicants
A pre-requisite of granting an award was the success of the ERDF application being awarded funds at the Programme's Project Steering Committee. As a result, ODPM has officially funded (please see awards to date) both to UK Lead and Non-Lead UK partners, with funds often dispersed to many more organisations where the former has applied on behalf of its broader UK partnership.

Projects
The success of the scheme has facilitated the draw-down of some £40m of ERDF across all regions of the UK whilst also allowing a vast array of UK organisations to gauge good practice and exchange a wealth of cutting-edge ideas from strongly-developed partnerships across Europe. The practical outputs of the projects have assisted UK organisations to revitalise, modernise, improve and complement both current and new pioneering work being pursued in a range of sectors and specialisms. These include: helping local authorities develop innovative solutions to water-related planning, helping public bodies understand the role of environmental assets in influencing decisions and conditions that both help attract and retain local investment and identifying good practices, techniques and case studies to promote greater community involvement in Planning.

For more information about the projects awarded funds, please click on the relevant programme area website and/or visit the project database section of this website.