Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme logo
… prosperous, inclusive and self-sustaining communities,
where the unique cultures,
traditions and environments are enhanced …
ERDF
ESF Trainee
 

ERDF

For the ERDF Programme, €121,862,392 has been allocated for the programming period.  The Programme vision operates through three Priorities:

Priority 1 - Enhancing business competitiveness, commercialisation and innovation;

Priority 2 - Enhancing key drivers of regional and sectoral sustainable growth; and

Priority 3 - Enhancing sustainable growth of peripheral and fragile areas.   

The region’s socio-economic analysis identified a range of key economic sectors and key growth drivers where investments from previous Programmes have made significant contributions to creating the foundations for self-sustaining growth into the new programming period and beyond. 

The key economic sectors are currently:

  • Renewable energy, such as wind, hydrogen, wave, tidal and biomass, and other energy-related activities such as the support of nuclear decommissioning (although nuclear decommissioning itself will not be an eligible activity);
  • Tourism and culture-based businesses;
  • Food and drink;
  • Forestry;
  • Life/health (and other) sciences. 

Nine Programme challenges have been identified, each of which is addressed by one of the three Priorities for assistance.  These are detailed in the diagram below:

Enterprise Challenges

 
1. Removing barriers and lack of incentives to entrepreneurs and growing enterprise.

 Priority 1

Enhancing business competitiveness, commercialisation and innovation 

2. Developing full exploitation of key sector technology developments.
3. Increasing rates of innovation.
   

Key Drivers Challenges

 
4. Improving RTD resources in region.

 Priority 2

Enhancing key regional and Sectoral drivers 

5. Improving higher/further education and developing UHI.
6. Sustainable use of region’s natural, built and cultural environment.
   

Communities Challenges

 
7. Increasing business development in fragile communities.

 Priority 3

Enhancing sustainable growth of peripheral and fragile communities 

8. Improving sustainable community infrastructure.
9. Addressing key bottlenecks in transport and communications.