Alliances | ERDF

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) helps stimulate economic development and regeneration in the least prosperous regions of the European Union (EU).
Funding is targeted to meet three objectives set down by the European Commission (EC):
·          Convergence
·          Regional Competitiveness
·          European Territorial Co-operation

Since 2000, England has benefited from more than £5bn of ERDF funding, with a further 3.2bn Euros being invested in projects for the new round of programmes (2007-13). These programmes are designed to meet current needs by targeting employment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), innovation, high-tech business investment, among other key priorities identified by each region.
The CFE has been recognised by the ERDF as able to make a significant long-term impact on the high-end fashion sector, and it is currently receiving significant support from the ERDF to fund its business growth programmes specifically targeting London’s emerging high-end designers. The CFE’s Venture Programme, Pioneer Programme, and Market Entry Programmes are all pivotal to this activity.