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

Glossary

Additionality

Project additionality is the extent to which funding creates something which would not have happened without the grant. European Structural Funds should only be awarded to part-finance projects which could not proceed without the grant.

Certification / Designated Signatory

All application forms and progress report and claim forms require certification by an officer which will be agreed within the applicant agency prior to submission. It is expected that this will be a senior manager within the organisation.

EAFRD

European Agricultural Fund For Rural Development.  The Fund aims to improve the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry, the environment and rural land management, as well as improve the quality of life and diversification of the rural economy. The EAFRD will also finance local development strategies and technical assistance (Leader-type projects). 

EFF

European Fisheries Fund.  The new Fund provides financial assistance to help implement the latest reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP) and to support the restructuring that has become necessary as the fisheries sector has developed.

ERDF

European Regional Development Fund.  The Fund aims to promote economic and social cohesion by correcting the main regional imbalances and participating in the development and conversion of regions, while ensuring synergy with assistance from the other Structural Funds.

Equal Opportunities

A key horizontal theme to be incorporated into the implementation of the 2007-2013 ERDF and ESF Programmes. In the context of these Programmes, the definition is to increase the opportunities within the Programme for all groups to benefit and to prioritise and adapt support for groups facing particular discrimination or barriers to participation.

ESF

European Social Fund.  This fund is the European Union’s main financial instrument for investing in people. It supports employment and helps people enhance their education and skills.

Final Beneficiaries

The bodies responsible for commissioning grant operations (not the end recipients of the grants). In the case of schemes, the final beneficiary is the body which grants the aid.

Impact

The net results of a project beyond the immediate effects on its direct beneficiaries, e.g. no. of net jobs created. N.B. Impact will be calculated and evaluated at a Priority and Programme level and applicants are not expected to provide this information at project level in an application. 

Indicator

A descriptive tool used to measure the progress and performance of a project, of each Priority within the Programme and ultimately of the Programme itself.

In-kind Contribution

The cash value of a non-financial contribution to a project. Under the 2007-2013 Programmes such costs are only eligible under ERDF capital projects for the donation of land or buildings. These must be valued appropriately and follow the guidance issued within the National Rules of expenditure by the Scottish Government.

Intervention Rate

The amount of grant requested as a percentage of a project’s net eligible costs.

LUPS Programmes 

The Lowland and Uplands Scotland ERDF and ESF 2007-2013 Programmes cover the areas of Scotland not falling under the Highlands and Islands.  The Programmes covering LUPS are administered through ESEP Ltd.

Match Funder

An organisation providing a direct financial contribution or in-kind contribution (for ERDF capital only and for land or buildings) towards the costs of a project.

Match Funding

Direct financial and in-kind contributions (the latter towards land or buildings under ERDF capital projects only) towards the costs of a project, other than the Structural Funds contribution.

Managing Authority

Each Structural Fund Programme has a defined Managing Authority which is responsible for the effective and efficient management and administration of each Programme. In Scotland, the Managing Authority is the Scottish Government.

Non-Eligible Costs

Costs which cannot be part-funded by the Structural Funds, e.g. recoverable VAT. These costs must be covered in full by another source of funding.

Official Journal

Where the costs of supplies, services or works for a project are likely to exceed predetermined EC thresholds, the contract(s) for the project must be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

Official Journal Reference

The reference number assigned to an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

PMC

Programme Monitoring Committee.  The Committee is responsible for the monitoring and implementation of the 2007-2013 ERDF and ESF Programmes.

Output

The activities directly achieved by the project. In terms of capital projects, it is physical piece of infrastructure e.g. number of square metres of business space created (ERDF) or number of participants receiving support (ESF).

Private Sector Contribution

The amount provided by the private sector towards the non-eligible costs of an application.  It is important to note that under the 2007-2013 ERDF and ESF Programmes private sector match funding cannot be used towards eligible costs.

Project

A specific activity for which assistance from Structural Funds is sought. It can be capital or revenue based.

Result

The direct and immediate effects generated by a project, e.g. number of gross jobs created or number of participants gaining a full or partial qualification.

Scheme

Funds which are given to a project sponsor to disseminate in grant or loan form to end beneficiaries, e.g. to SMEs to improve their marketing techniques.

SDB

Strategic Delivery Body.  The Highlands and Islands Convergence Programme 2007-13 has two SDBs, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and UHI Millennium Institute.  Together they have been awarded grants for Phase 1 activities of approximately €61.5m covering the operational period August 2007 until December 2010.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME)

An enterprise which employs less than 250 people; has an annual turnover of less than €50m and/or balance sheet assets of less than €43m; and has no more than 25% of its capital or voting rights owned by a larger firm or public body (European Commission definition).

Structural Funds

The financial frameworks which assist with regional economic (ERDF) or social fund (ESF). 

Sustainable Development

The horizontal theme which describes the need to work towards economic growth, social cohesion and the protection of the environment simultaneously and in the long term interest.