European funds and grants

Herefordshire has been allocated some £25m from The Marches European and Structural Funds Strategy to be used between 2014 and 2020 on what are seen as key growth priorities. This includes innovation, research and development, support for small and medium sized enterprise, low carbon technologies, skills and employment, and social inclusion.

We work with a wide range of partners across the region and in Europe and our aim is always to make sure that available funding is used as effectively as possible and that we are influencing policy decisions.

European Structural Investment Funds

The purpose of European Structural Investment Funds is to invest in job creation and a sustainable and healthy European economy and environment. Programmes run at Marches LEP area level, regionally or nationally.

Who can apply for funding

  • SMEs and third sector organisations working in Herefordshire can apply for European funding and other types of support to assist with growth, business development and skills. For more information visit the Marches Growth Hub.
  • Organisations that are looking to apply for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) can apply for ERDF fund programmes managed at the Marches LEP area level, regionally or nationally. For ERDF funding opportunities, please visit the Funding Finder.

European Social Fund (ESF)

The European Social Fund (ESF) supports employment in the member states of the European Union. The ESF Technical Assistance project for the Marches area offers support and information to organisations interested in developing and applying for employment and skills and social inclusion ESF projects in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin. The project is part funded by ESF and is managed by Herefordshire Council and delivered in partnership with Shropshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council and the Marches LEP. It runs until December 2018.

For ESF funding opportunities please visit the Funding Finder.

The Building Better Opportunities website provides programme information and resources for Social Inclusion and the Building Better Opportunities development fund in the Marches.

For further information please contact the Technical Assistance Team:

Other EU funding programmes

There are other funding opportunities to help:

Image of logo for European agricultural fund for rural development

Image of logo for European structural investment funds

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Image of logo for European Regional Development Fund