The second Annual Information Event for the East Midlands
2007-13 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme will
take place on Wednesday 13th October 2010, at the newly opened
University of Derby Enterprise Centre at Bridge Street in
Derby.
Around 150 ERDF stakeholders, partners and project managers from
across the East Midlands will attend to find out about past,
present and future ERDF Programme developments, hear from
inspirational projects funded by the Programme and take part in
workshops to share experiences.
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) was given responsibility
for managing the East Midlands 2007-13 ERDF Programme in 2007. ERDF
helps to tackle regional disparities and support regional
development across the European Union's (EU's) Member States,
providing funding for projects which contribute to economic
development and regeneration, promote competitiveness and deliver
sustainable development.
Stuart Creedy, Head of ERDF at emda said: "This event is an
excellent opportunity to showcase some of the excellent projects
being supported by the Programme, as well as providing networking
opportunities and practical workshops for ERDF project
managers."
One of the projects being showcased on the day is NVision, a
centre of modelling and visualisation at the University of
Northampton. Stuart Wayne from the University will tell delegates
about the centre, which provides local businesses with access to a
demonstration suite and product development modelling, product
testing, failure prediction and analysis and 3-D visualisation
services - collectively helping businesses to achieve resource,
environmental and manufacturing efficiencies.
Ann Hilton of Business in the Community will talk about the ERDF
funded ProHelp project. ProHelp is a national network of
professional firms who give their time and expertise for free to
local community groups and voluntary organisations.
In the East Midlands, ERDF funding is supporting ProHelp in
making a difference to communities in Lincolnshire, Nottingham,
North Nottinghamshire, Derby and Corby through the provision of
professional services to a wide range of community and voluntary
sector organisations in these areas.
Stephen Hillier, Regional Director of Government Office East
Midlands (GOEM), and emda's Chief Executive, Jeff Moore, will also
speak at the event.