European Structural Investment Fund

The South East Midlands was allocated £117million* from the 2014-20 European Structural Investment Fund (ESIF) Growth Programme. The Growth Programme provides investment to projects that improve local innovation and growth, create jobs and promotes social inclusion.

Projects funded by the ESIF Growth Programme are currently running, in some cases with an extension to the end of 2023. Due to the United Kingdom leaving the EU no new projects are now being awarded. Future funding by the UK government for similar projects has not yet been announced.

ESIF comprises three different funds:

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• European Social Fund (ESF)
• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)

Government departments manage and administer the funds: Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) for ERDF, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for ESF and, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for EAFRD.

SEMLEP is responsible for developing the local ESIF strategy. This identifies local priorities that help to determine where funds are invested. We also provide information about the Growth Programme calls for funding applications.

Read more about the key funding priorities identified by SEMLEP and partners, including the South East Midlands Growth Programme Implementation Plan in the key resources section of our EU Funding pages.

Find out more