Post-Brexit structural funds
From Civil society Scotland Wiki
Context[edit | edit source]
Following the UK's departure from the EU, it will lose access to the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESF).
If the UK remained in the European Union, the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) estimates that it would be entitled to about 13 billion euros of regional development funding (under the EU Cohesion Policy) for the 2021-2027 period.
The UK Government has announced that in its place, it will introduce a UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which will be delivered by the UK Government.
It has announced a consultation on its draft plans, which have been subject to delay and are are still awaiting publication (as of May 2019)
Summary of proposals[edit | edit source]
The best way forward would be to focus on governance and accountability, transparency of finances & delivery, and much better participation in programmes as follows.
- The Scottish Parliament must be the authority to which all replacement funds for Scottish post-Brexit structural funds is accountable.
- Future planning and delivery of post-Brexit funds must be done transparently, following Open Government principles
- In Scotland, engagement in the funds should be framed within the National Performance Framework as linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Third Sector, not just public sector bodies, should be allowed to be appointed as delivery agents for post-ESF funding.
- In order to improve participation, any future funds need to be simple, streamlined, and reduce duplication of effort.
See below for potential programmes that Scotland could take forward.
Analysis[edit | edit source]
We are developing the following analysis and proposals on the basis that the Scottish Parliament becomes the authority for post-Brexit structural funds.
Theme | Key developments and analysis | Proposal |
---|---|---|
Governance and accountability |
|
Scottish Parliament must be the ultimate authority for any post-Brexit structural funds in Scotland, in order so stay coherent with devolved policy. |
Transparency of finances and delivery |
|
Future planning and delivery of post-Brexit funds must be done transparently, following Open Government principles
In Scotland, engagement in the funds should be framed within the National Performance Framework as linked to the Sustainable Development Goals. |
Participation in programmes |
|
Third Sector, not just public sector bodies, should be allowed to be appointed as delivery agents for post-Brexit funding.
In order to improve participation, any future funds need to be simple, streamlined, and reduce duplication of effort. |
Priorities for the fund[edit | edit source]
The following is what we would propose to the Scottish Parliament for the design and delivery of the fund.
The priorities should be openly developed with Scotland's people and communities, including civil society organisations, and framed within Scotland's National Performance Framework.
The Scottish Government should adopt the principle of non-regression in environmental law and policy, and this must apply to the criteria surrounding the use of Structural Funds.
It makes sense for funding priorities to align with the National Performance Framework, and the Sustainable Development goals, which many of our sector supports. These priorities have already been developed, so making good use of them would be sensible.
Potential programmes | Purpose | Scottish Government Strategies |
---|---|---|
Community capacity Fund | Dedicated capacity building fund for third sector organisations and community-based initiatives such as care and repair, befriending, arts/sports, lunch clubs, mens sheds etc. | Volunteering strategy
Social enterprise strategy |
Employability Fund | Support for people contribute confidently to society as workers, volunteers, carers, activists, learners | Leave no one behind (2018) |
Tackling poverty Fund | Tackling health inequalities (incl. mental health), digital participation, gender equality, support for marginalised and vulnerable people | Fair work convention
Fairer Scotland |
Rural development Fund | Diversification, rural community service development (including village halls), tackling isolation | Land use strategy |
Industrial readiness fund | Preparing for the 4th Industrial revolution, with a focus on re-skilling for greater automation and low-carbon economy, infrastructure, and digital services. | Just transition (2018) |