An interesting study today as the good folks of the UK north west look to stretch available European funds…
UK – North West leaders can stretch potential of European funding initiatives
rochdaleonline.co.uk
A review of European Funding across the North West of England suggests that eight different types of financial instruments could be implemented to bring added-value to the current grant funding based approach.
The research provides case studies of how the eight financial instruments, which include urban development funds, business angel finance, social impact bonds and local asset backed vehicles, have already been used across Europe.
It demonstrates how the instruments can help the public sector to leverage larger amounts of investment and to enjoy more local flexibility in how European investment is spent and repaid.
The review has been commissioned by the North West Regional Leaders Board on behalf of the five regions that make up the North West of England; Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and Lancashire.