Welcome to the European Programmes & Support Webpages

[ 03-10-2007 ] The Aims of DETI's European Programmes Branch

Background to the European Structural Funds The Structural Funds are the European Unions principal instrument for supporting economic and social inclusion, i.e. the goal of ensuring that the benefits of European economic prosperity are spread to all parts of the European Union. The funds are used to provide financial aid to the weakest regions in the Union and to the social groups most exposed to unemployment.

Our role as European Programmes Branch is to act as DETI's representative in developing and implementing the 3 programmes under the EU Structural Funds, which complement the Departments strategy and its wider objectives. The programmes are the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland 2000-2004 (PEACE II), INTERREG IIIA Ireland/Northern Ireland Programme 2000-06 and Measure 4 (Local Economic Development) under Priority 1 (Economic Growth and Competitiveness) of the Northern Ireland Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.

[ 03-10-2007 ] WHAT IS STATE AID?

State aid is a specific term which relates to forms of assistance, from a public body, or publicly-funded body, or body under public sector control, given with the potential to distort competition and affect trade between member states of the European Union. The 'state aid rules' encompass various European regulations, frameworks, articles and guidelines. The European Commission governs Member States' compliance with these rules and must be notified of all schemes involving state aid. State aid granted without Commission approval is viewed as unlawful.

[ 20-04-2007 ] ISWG FInal Report - April 2007

This report is an update of progress that has been achieved on Information Society activity supported through the Structural Funds in Northern Ireland under the 2000-2006 programming period.