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ERDF – An Independent Guide, 2nd Edition, 2013, by Tony Baldwinson

This is an updated version of a small guide I wrote in 2012, hoping to be useful to people who are new project managers using the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the UK.

ERDF is probably one of the most demanding funds to be involved with, with levels of penalties and fines not usually experienced within other funding streams, and therefore ERDF is not everyone’s cup of tea.

However, I feel that with care it can be used to good effect, helping communities develop and regenerate even in these austere times. Also, you could say that once you are proficient in managing an ERDF project then there is no other scheme you could not cope with. I’ve tried to be fair without glossing over the difficulties.

I would add that I learn something new about ERDF pretty much every week, sometimes realising that a section of the Guide is no longer current. Plus sometimes there are competing interpretations, where we need to wait a little longer to get a definitive answer. So, all the mistakes are mine but I also welcome feedback and comments.

Above all, I hope you find something in it that is useful.

Disclaimers:

I have worked on contracts to DCLG on ERDF Compliance, and nothing in this blog or post represents official policy, just my personal views.

This blog and post are in the interests of general and professional discussion and nothing constitutes particular advice for any project or person.

ERDF – An Independent Guide, 2nd Edition, 2013, by Tony Baldwinson