What is Convergence?
- Management of Convergence
- How much is involved?
- What are we investing in?
- Latest news
- How can I access Convergence?
- The cross cutting themes
- Brief history of Convergence
- The Rural and Fisheries Programmes
Convergence is the new European economic regeneration programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that runs until 2013.
Convergence is investing in activities that will have a long-term impact on the economy of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It will help to build a stronger more diverse economy by supporting businesses and helping people into employment and those in work gain new and up to date skills. This will include work with higher education to promote business friendly research and innovation.
Convergence consists of two funds European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF) and the details of these are found in the contracts with Europe – the Operational Programmes. In the case of ESF this has been further developed into a framework for delivery. These documents provide the overall shape for Convergence investment.
Operational Programmes
Convergence Investments
ERDF beneficiaries
ESF beneficiaries
Frequently Asked Questions
Management of Convergence
At a national level the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) is responsible for ERDF while the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for ESF. More locally the South West Regional Development Agency and Government Office for the South West (GOSW) have had responsibilities devolved to them for ERDF and ESF respectively. Local partners are engaged through the Programme Monitoring Committee which is chaired by GOSW and includes representatives from our local authorities, the private, community and environmental sectors, the trades unions and representatives from national government and the European Commission.
Structures and governance
Partners
How much is involved?
The European Budget for Convergence is c£500m with c£347m for ERDF and c£153m for ESF – this will be matched by UK public money from local, regional and national sources giving a total value of c£712m (The Convergence budget is allocated in Euros and therefore during the life of Convergence these figures will vary with the GBP/Euro exchange rates.)
What are we investing in?
Convergence will invest in a range of activities aimed at strengthening our economy, by:
Developing our people
People are at the core of economic regeneration. It is important that people are helped to realise their full potential whether in employment or looking for work.
Strengthening business
The accelerated growth of businesses -- in particular high value businesses -- which are better able to pay higher wages will strengthen the commercial value of the economy.
Investing in our future
Higher education opens up opportunities for the individual and can also produce business development through research and innovation and help continually build the business base of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Making connections
An economy increasingly connected, particularly at a global scale, through trade, technology and knowledge networks is better able to compete.
To see the financial progress in the delivery of Convergence click here.
Convergence Investments
ERDF beneficiaries
ESF beneficiaries
Latest news
The most recent media releases and news are available...
Media releases
News
Newsletters
How can I access Convergence?
Over the lifetime of Convergence there will be a number of straightforward ways to access a range of business support, training; and help into work. This will not necessitate direct applications to Convergence but rather be available through a number of organisations and partnerships across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
This includes:
FOCUSSED SUPPORT FOR BUSINESS
For all enquiries about Convergence and all mainstream business support please contact Business Link:
Business Link is the main access point for all business support products whether from UK mainstream sources or European programmes.
Business Link can be contacted on
Tel: 0845 600 9966
Email: enquiries@blpeninsula.co.uk
Address: Business Link, Tamar Science Park, 5 Research Way, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 8BT
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest
Specific Convergence business support initiatives:
Unlocking Cornish Potential provides support for graduate placement in businesses and can be contacted on
Tel: 01209 617664
Email: ucp@cornwall.ac.uk
Address: Unlocking Cornish Potential, Trevenson House, Trevenson Road, Pool, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3RD
Website: www.unlockingcornishpotential.co.uk
Outset Cornwall is supporting people who are traditionally under represented in business to start their own enterprise.
Tel: 0800 917 4324
Email: info@outsetcornwall.com
Address: Outset Cornwall, First Floor, Library House, 4 Green Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LH
Websites: www.outsetcornwall.co.uk and www.ytko.com
Partner to Succeed is a business collaboration networks programme which specialises in helping businesses to start-up, grow, identify and exploit opportunities.
Tel: 01872 613000
Email: send enquiry using the form at www.partnertosucceed.co.uk/enquiry.php
Address: Partner to Succeed, Library House, 4 Green Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2LH
Website: www.partnertosucceed.co.uk
Coaching for High Growth offers intensive coaching and assistance to small and medium sized enterprises to support the realisation of growth potential.
Tel: 01872 300116
Freephone: 0808 1680405
Email: info@growcornwall.co.uk
Address: The Old Chapel, Greenbottom, Chacewater, Truro, TR4 8QP
Website: www.growcornwall.co.uk
Join us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/GrowCornwall
Starting a High Growth Business supports young companies or individuals with a good business idea who want to get started and could benefit from some hands-on assistance to help make the next move.
Tel: 01872 300116
Freephone: 0808 1680405
Email: info@growcornwall.co.uk
Address: The Old Chapel, Greenbottom, Chacewater, Truro, TR4 8QP
Website: www.growcornwall.co.uk
Join us on Twitter - http://twitter.com/GrowCornwall
South West Loans Fund provides Small Loans for Business (up to £50,000) and Finance for Business (up to £250,000) focussing on businesses which have growth potential but have not been able to secure all their finance requirements from the private sector.
Business Link
Tel: 0845 600 9966
Email: enquiries@blpeninsula.co.uk
Address: Business Link, Tamar Science Park, 5 Research Way, Derriford, Plymouth, PL6 8BT
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk/southwest
Globalisation supports businesses with high growth potential in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to trade internationally.
Business Link, as above
Grant for Business Investment supports the expansion, modernisation and diversification of businesses – typically through supporting the acquisition of key assets such as buildings, plant and machinery.
Stephen Bohane
Head of Business Development, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
South West Regional Development Agency
Tel: 01872 243 750
Address: Castle House, Pydar St, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2UJ
Workspace provision can be accessed through the workspace strategic investment framework. Contact
Ian Whale or John Burton
Communities Infrastructure Managers
Tel: 01872 243750
Email: ian.whale@southwestrda.org.uk or john.burton@southwestrda.org.uk
Address: European Programmes Team, South West Regional Development Agency, Castle House, Pydar Street, Truro, TR1 2UJ
HELP INTO WORK
Cornwall Works is the main access point for help into work and training. Cornwall Works can be contacted on
Tel: 01872 355 015
Email: info@cornwallworks.org.uk
Address: Cornwall Works, Lemon Quay House, Lemon Quay, Truro, TR1 2PU
Website: www.cornwallworks.org.uk
TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE
Youth Cornwall provides services for young people aged 13 to 19 and for those up to 24 years with additional needs. Youth Cornwall can be contacted on
Tel: 01872 326326
Email: office@youthcornwall.org.uk
Address: Cornwall Youth Service, Fistral House, 8A Truro Business Park, Threemilestone, Truro, TR4 9NH
Website: www.youthcornwall.org.uk
NEW AND UPDATED SKILLS
nextstep is the main access point for adult learners and can be contacted on
Tel: 0845 850 5070
Email: nextstepenquiries@nextstep-sw.org.uk
Address: nextstep South West, Unit 2 Tamar Business Park, Pennygillam Industrial Estate, Launceston, PL15 7ED
Website: www.nextstepsouthwest.org.uk
GEOGRAPHICAL STRATEGIC INVESTMENT FRAMEWORKS
Strategic Investment Frameworks (SIFs) provide a framework and justification for potential Convergence investments in specific areas in Cornwall and the Isles of a Scilly. Proposed individual investments within the SIFs will then be appraised and, if suitable, endorsed for investment.
For information on the Camborne Pool Redruth SIF contact
Neil Lindsey
European Team Director
Tel: 01209 722 099
Email: nl@cprregeneration.co.uk
Address: CPR Regeneration, Berlewen Building, Trevenson Rd, Pool, TR15 3PL
For information on the Bodmin SIF contact
Catherine Smith, Economic Development Manager or
Sarah Jory, Economic Development Officer
Tel: 01208 265 707
Email: catherine.smith@cornwall.gov.uk or sarah.jory@cornwall.gov.uk
Address: Cornwall Council, 3-5 Barn Lane, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 1LZ
For information on the Newquay and St Columb Major SIF contact
Ian Stackhouse
Regeneration Officer (Newquay)
Tel: 01726 223 443 / 0300 1234 100
Email: ian.stackhouse@cornwall.gov.uk
Address: Restormel Borough Offices, 39 Penwinnick Road, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 5DR
For information on the St Austell, St Blazey and the Clay Area SIF contact
Ed Thompson
Regeneration Officer (St Austell and the Clay Country)
Tel: 0300 1234 100
Email: ed.thompson@cornwall.gov.uk
Address: Restormel Borough Offices, 39 Penwinnick Road, St Austell, Cornwall, PL25 5DR
For information on the other SIFs (Falmouth, Penzance and the Isles of Scilly, Truro) contact Ian Whale at the South West Regional Development Agency, details as above.
Strategic Investment Frameworks
OTHER CONVERGENCE ENQUIRIES
Please contact the Convergence Partnership Office on
Freephone: 0800 028 0120
Email: convergence@cornwall.gov.uk
Website: www.convergencecornwall.com
Address: Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Castle House, Pydar Street, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 2UD
The cross cutting themes
Ensuring that the environment and economy work together and that all members of society are able to contribute to their full potential in the economy are key parts of the Convergence mission. In both ERDF and ESF Convergence the integration of the environment and equal opportunities and diversity into the various investments is ensured through the cross cutting themes.
Advice and guidance for the cross cutting themes is available. And case studies of good practice in the integration of the cross-cutting themes will be available.
Brief history of Convergence
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly qualified for Convergence in 2005 because its economic performance between 2000 and 2002 had been below 75% of the European Union average (we would not qualify if the assessment was made today). Convergence is the third and hopefully last significant European programme (following 1994-99 Southwest Objective 5b and 2000-06 Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Objective One Programmes) that we have benefited from. The only other Convergence area in the UK is West Wales and the Valleys. Further information on the economy of Cornwall and the isles of Scilly is available in the Operational Programmes.
Operational programmes
Linked strategies and policy information
The Rural, Fish and Competitiveness Programmes
The rural and fisheries programmes are part of national programmes each with ring fenced budgets for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. There is also a Competitiveness Programme for the rest of the South West.
Fisheries Programme
Rural Development Programme for England
Competitiveness Programme - South West Regional Development Agency
