Despite continuing uncertainty over the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU and when and how that will happen, EU-funded economic development and business support programmes will still be available for Cumbria throughout 2017.

The county is a recipient of funding from the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) programme, which includes the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF) and European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

ESIF-backed programmes are expected to be delivered at least through until the end of 2020.

Cumbria LEP and its partners play a key role in determining how EU funds are invested throughout the county.

This includes a range of projects to support business growth and innovation, create jobs and improve skills levels.

Three new support initiatives were launched in early January as part of the allocation of remaining EU funding streams available to the county.

A total of £6.75m has been made available from the ERDF as part of the overall funding allocation previously secured via Cumbria LEP.

More than £4m has been allocated to support flood resilience initiatives around Kendal and the River Kent catchment area, while £2m is available to help develop new business premises and create ‘grow-on’ space, incubator space or managed workspace.

The remaining £750,000 provides support for businesses to take advantage of appropriate finance options.

This funding will align with key initiatives such as the £400m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, which will provide access to various options such as microfinance, debt finance and equity loans.

These latest funding rounds are open until February 17, 2017.

Graham Haywood, director of Cumbria LEP, says: “We are now moving forward again with EU investment rounds to enable allocation of the remainder of our funding streams.

“Spending the remainder of our EU funding resources effectively is critical, so it’s important that business networks and SMEs are aware of these opportunities.

We also need to support potential applicants in developing strong applications to help deliver economic growth.”

These opportunities are part of our existing pipeline of funding calls agreed for progression by Cumbria’s ESIF Committee.

There are plans to launch further ERDF and EAFRD funding rounds in the coming months, which will focus on low carbon, broadband, tourism infrastructure, rural business grants and food processing.

It’s important for applicants to know that multi-year ESIF-backed projects with signed contracts or funding agreements in place will be fully funded, even when these projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU.

Cumbria LEP is also able to offer a ‘technical assistance’ service that can provide applicants with support to develop their applications to enable the greatest possible chance of success.

For further information on European funding in Cumbria, please contact Corinne Watson at Cumbria LEP by emailing corinne.watson@cumbria.gov.uk