European funding - making a difference on Anglesey

Staff from Anglesey’s European Funding Team will be on hand to explain how various key projects are making a real impact locally, and how communities, businesses and residents can take advantage of the various funding opportunities now available.

EU-funded programmes like the North West Wales Local Investment Fund (LIF), Anglesey Three Towns, Anglesey Coastal Environment, Celtic Wave, and the Rural Development Plan are already helping to pump millions into the Island’s economy.

Principal Development Officer (European Support), Aled Davies, explained “These programmes and others are supporting the business sector, focusing on creating sustainable jobs and maximising the available resources to benefit the people, communities and environment on Anglesey and throughout Wales.”

“The North West Wales LIF, for example, offers business grants between £1,000 and £10,000 to Small, Medium Sized Enterprise (SMEs) on Anglesey. The uptake locally has been excellent with 90 businesses benefiting to the tune of around £300,000. A LIF representative will be at the Council’s pavilion on both days.”

He added, “We’re encouraging business people and social entrepreneurs from across the Island to visit us at Sioe Môn so we can provide them with more information about how EU funding works and the support that’s on offer.”

The current round of European Funding Programmes for Wales runs from 2007-2013 and can be used to develop businesses in many different ways. Anglesey qualifies for support from three types of programmes: 

• Convergence Programme covering West Wales and the Valleys
• Interreg Territorial Co-operation, including the Ireland-Wales Cross-border programme
• Rural Development Plan

For more information, visit the Anglesey European Funding Team at the County Council’s pavilion (Avenue C Stand 88) or email: set@anglesey.gov.uk

ENDS 27.7.11

For further information: Gethin Jones, Press Office (01248) 752130