East Midlands Regional Assembly works with partners to help maximise opportunities and benefits for the region that arise from EU Membership.

The Regional & Communities Policy Board takes the lead on European issues on behalf of the Regional Assembly. The Board makes key links between regional and European policy, particularly in relation to energy, environment, public health, rural development and sustainable development issues. It recognises that working with and learning from other regions is of great benefit to the East Midlands.

The Regional Assembly, along with other key public sector organisations, is a partner of the East Midlands European Office. The fundamental role of East Midlands European Office is to provide an interface between regional stakeholders and Brussels-based contacts and EU institutions and decision-makers –more information is available on the East Midlands European Office website.

East Midlands Regional Assembly, in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, became a member of Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR) in May 2006. This opens up opportunities to develop the coastal aspect of the regional work and support the development of the Lincolnshire area.

The East Midlands has three Committee of the Regions (CoR) members - Cllr David Parsons, Cllr Katrina Bull and Cllr Dave Wilcox.

Government Office East Midlands and East Midlands Development Agency both play key roles with regard to the European agenda. Click on the links to find out more about their roles and responsibilities.

The East Midlands 2007-13 ERDF Competitiveness Programme has launched the first ‘Call for Activity’ under the Programme’s Innovation and Sustainable Business Practice priority at its Programme Launch Event on 12 March 2008. 

European Social Fund 2007-2013

Government Office for the East Midlands held a consultation from May to July 2007 on the draft Regional ESF Framework.   The Framework was endorsed in August 2007. More information is available on GOEM's website. 

INTERREG

The Regional Interreg Co-ordination Steering Group first met in June 2007 to ensure better co-ordination across the region in relation to Interreg funded projects. The group’s membership includes the Regional Assembly, GOEM, emda, LGEM, individual local authorities and the Environment Agency.

The Regional Assembly works with other members of the co-ordination group to:

• Maintain a two-way dialogue with relevant UK and European groups
• Build an Interreg community in the East Midlands, ensuring interested parties are joined up
• Play an enabling and signposting role
• Disseminate appropriate information and opportunities to those with an interest in the region.

To find out more about Interreg in the East Midlands, click on the 'Territorial Cooperation (INTERREG)' button on the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme website.

Click here to link to the website of Interreg IVB North Sea Programme (2007-2013)

UK Practitioners’ Guide to INTERREG III