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I am pleased to announce that the contract for the provision of services to administer the key functions of the 2007 – 2013 ERDF and ESF Programmes as applied in the Highlands and Islands, has been awarded by the Scottish Executive to Highlands and Islands (Scotland) Structural Funds Partnership Ltd. 

The Lowlands and Uplands Scotland ERDF and ESF Programmes will be administered by ESEP Ltd.  We aim to work closely with them on the new Programmes.

The contract will run from 3rd January 2007 to 31st December 2009 and will cover all activities delivered under the respective European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund Operational Programmes.

Within the context of a significant reduction in the availability of funds and a requirement that investment follows Executive priorities in a more strategic and focussed way, the new arrangement offers an element of continuity within a rapidly changing structural funds environment.

As you will be aware, the consultation on the new Operational Programmes (OP’s) is now complete and the Executive is due to submit revised OP’s to the Commission in due course.  We will continue to use this website to keep you up to date on progress.

In the meantime, the Executive has agreed to implement a “Shadow Round” under the draft ESF Programme.  This will apply to Priority 1 “Increasing the Workforce” only.  Details are provided on this site.

I look forward to working with all Partners in the new Programme and my colleagues will seek to ensure that the Shadow Round operates as smoothly as possible.  I am also sure that I can continue to count on your support in closing the current Programme and helping achieve all our financial and performance targets.

Dennis Malone, Chief Executive