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The Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme was formally adopted by the European Commission in July 2000 and will provide £192.5 million of European Community Support to the area until the end of 2006.

The Programme Management Executive (PME) operates under a company limited by guarantee with charitable status (the Highlands and Islands (Scotland) Structural Funds Partnership Ltd).  The main function of the PME is to administer the Programme, service the various Committees and Advisory Group structures and facilitate access to European funding for partner organisations. The Partners are substantially public sector bodies and voluntary/charitable organisations although membership is open to any organisation eligible to apply for ESF, ERDF or EAGGF (3rd party) funding. 

The costs of Programme management are funded partly by the European Commission through Technical Assistance and partly through a voluntary partnership contribution currently a % of the total ERDF/EAGGF/ESF grant approved plus VAT. This partnership contribution cannot be included as part of the eligible expenditure on a project application.

The company has Investors in People status which was achieved initially in February 1998 and then was reassessed in 2001 and 2004.

Objectives

The ultimate objective of the PME is to provide a high level of service to the Partnership to ensure that the Programme delivers the best possible economic impact in the region. The challenge is to ensure a high quality, impartial management service which applies rigour in the appraisal, management and monitoring processes and at a cost which demonstrates value for money for all Partners.

Functions

The functions of the PME include:

• Servicing the various committee and Advisory Group structures;
• Ensuring administrative compliance with EU regulations;
• Providing advice, information and guidance to applicants;
• Processing application forms including technical appraisal;
• "Operationalising" policy;
• Processing claim forms;
• Monitoring and evaluation;
• Promotion of the Programme;
• Carrying out the formal reporting requirements under the Structural Funds Regulations.

Board of Directors