ERDF Information
Regional Marketing, Culture and Heritage project;
The Regional Marketing Culture & Heritage Project is a North-West campaign aimed at increasing visitor spend in the region through the focused promotion of three key themes that demonstrate the best prospects for future growth - namely Adventure Capital [outdoor activity], Industrial Powerhouse [industrial heritage-based] and Gardens of Distinction, [horticultural heritage]. All three thematic campaigns will build upon the success of previous work to achieve significant impact for the regional tourism industry, from both national and international markets.
With a total budget of £4.8m over 3 years, the programme has been funded by the Northwest Development Agency [NWDA] and the European Regional Development Fund [ERDF], as part of the Northwest Operational Programme, 2007-13.
The project is managed by Cumbria Tourism, who are the accountable body on behalf of the delivery Partners. A Project Team involving all three Tourist Boards [Cumbria Tourism, Marketing Manchester & Visit Chester & Cheshire] will ensure the project delivers maximum benefits for their respective areas.
State Aids ~ Important Note for applicants and beneficiaries:
The European Community have specific requirements and levels of public assistance for applicants who supply goods and services in the European single market. These applicants are primarily in the private sector and known as ‘undertakings'. It is impossible to provide a categorical definition of an ‘undertaking' and each organisation will have to assess its own status. However, it can be stated that an undertaking is a wide concept and includes any organisation or individual that carries out an economic activity which has a pan-European market. Tourism may be considered to be such an activity. The following types of organisations will be ‘undertakings' for the purpose of the State Aid rules:
Sole traders;
Partnerships running a business;
Trust/ charities (including not for profit organisations), which involve themselves in a market and Companies running a business.
European Community public funding limits apply for financial assistance to undertakings. It is important to remember that assistance can be given either as a direct grant or as a cost saving or free or discounted service. Support under the Regional Marketing Culture and Heritage project will involve the provision of additional marketing activity, which represents a cost saving to businesses involved in the project. This constitutes state aid as defined under Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty of Rome and will be granted as ‘de minimis' aid under Commission Regulation EC 1998/2006 [the ‘de minimis' aid regulation].
European Commission rules currently prohibit any undertaking receiving more than €500,000 ‘de minimis' aid over any period of three fiscal years. This means that a private company cannot receive over €500,000 worth of public sector support granted under 'de minimis' from whatever source in any three year rolling period [€200k after 31.12.10]. You will need to declare any other forms of help received from public sources as these may affect your eligibility or the amount of grant you can get.
[Applicants who have exceeded the de minimis limit, or who would do so with a grant from the Regional Marketing Culture and Heritage Project would need to ascertain whether support could still be given, pursuant to clearance by a Block Exemption. However, routine advertising costs are ineligible and therefore further discussion would be required on an individual basis to see whether any aid could be granted].
State Aid Regulations can appear complex, but should not deter you from applying for assistance or engaging in the Regional Marketing Culture & Heritage Project ~ if you have any questions, please contact us for advice.
