What are the EU Structural Funds and how can my zoo can benefit?
The Structural and Cohesion Funds, over one third of the European Union budget, are used by the EU for social and economic restructuring across the EU, on the basis that some areas have special economic and social difficulties. They also serve the objective of generally bringing EU states together, especially in terms of transport and infrastructure
They can be used for activities such as developing infrastructure and telecommunications, developing human resources and supporting research and development.
However, these funds can in principle, and depending on national and regional priorities also be used to develop your zoo or aquarium, provided it is a designated area and you can make a case that you will generate jobs, prosperity, economic, cultural self confidence, etc.
The accession of new states to the EU in 2004 and in 2007 meant that much of this funding has moved to the less priviliged areas of these countries ( but Structural Funds are still available in the ‘established states’)
Structural Funds , sometimes also known as ‘vertical funds’, should not be confused with ‘horizontal’ funds such as LIFE or AIDCO funding, which are adminstered directly from Brussels and are often available to a partnership of interests across the EU. Structural Funds are administered by the Member States themselves.
You first port of call should be your city or regional government to find out whether you are technically eligible. These authorities may not of course immediately fully appreciate the relevance of a zoo site to regional economic development, and you have to make a strong, patient but persistent argument as to your case.
There will be no posts for week or so, because we are closed for a short holiday
John Regan
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