European Structural Fund Programmes

For what kinds of projects can assistance be applied for from the European Regional Development Fund?

To promote internationalisation and increase competitiveness, applications for assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) can be made for projects that develop innovation environments, the ability of work organisations to anticipate and manage the structural changes created by globalisation and technological development; that increase the growth potential of SMEs; promote the competitiveness, internationalisation, employment and the attractiveness of enterprises and the region; and support environmentally sustainable development.

To enhance internationalisation and competitiveness The European Regional Development Fund supports the following, for example:

• diversifying the industrial structure
• developing expertise and cultural structures
• strengthening the transfer of technology and skills
• improving employment
• improving the competitiveness of enterprises
• the technological knowledge and use of ICT of enterprises
• growth of enterprises
• development of and increase in R&D
• development of electronic services
• activation and productisation of innovations
• internationalisation of enterprises and increasing exports
• use of foreign labour
• increasing the attractiveness of regions and international connections
• increasing eco-efficiency in enterprises
• cooperation between different sectors, educational institutions and groups of enterprises, and the creation of networks and international trade

For what kinds of projects can assistance be applied for from the European Social Fund?

Assistance from the European Social Fund (ESF) is available for projects concerned with internationalisation and competitiveness which develop knowledge and innovation systems, the working conditions and well-being of staff; and that develop innovation systems; promote networking; develop systems that facilitate the functioning of the labour market; and increase employment-related immigration and support the integration of immigrants.

To increase internationalisation and competitiveness the European Social Fund supports the following, for example:

• improving the skills required in the labour market
• promoting the working capacity and skills of employees
• increasing and developing knowledge and innovations systems and networks
• promoting innovativeness in working life and training organisations
• internationalisation of the creative sectors
• enhancing the correspondence of education to working life
• transferring from education to working life
• developing on-the-job learning
• increasing the opportunities for lifelong learning
• furthering the quality and attractiveness of vocational education and training
• conversion and further education of employees and students
• cooperation, networking and internationalisation of organisations and researchers
• anticipating education and skills needs
• employment-related immigration
• services directed at immigrants