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  • European Fund Management

    As Managing Authority, the Department is responsible for ensuring the successful closure of Northern Ireland’s 2014-2020 European Social Fund (ESF) and Investment for Growth and Jobs (ERDF) programmes. Links can be found on this page to further information about both programmes. A link is also included to State Aid information provided by the Department’s Subsidy Control Unit.

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    European Social Fund (ESF) case studies

    • European Social Fund (ESF) case studies 2023
    • European Social Fund (ESF) case studies 2022
    • European Social Fund (ESF) case studies 2021

    European Regional Development Fund

    • ERDF Managing Authority

    European Social Fund

    For further information and contact details concerning the 2014-20 European Social Fund programme, please visit the links below. Archive information on the 2007-13 European Social Fund Programme is also available at the link below.

    • Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020
    • European Social Fund 2007 - 2013
    • ESF Information Memos

    Introduction to Subsidy Control

    Subsidy Control Regimes set rules, procedures and processes that allow Public Authorities to award subsidies to achieve public policy objectives, whilst also limiting the negative effects of subsidies on domestic and international competition and investment.

    What do I do if it is State aid?

    A flow chart designed to help walk you though the step by step process to understand what to do next, if you think that State aid might be present in your project.

    UK Subsidy Control / State aid Decision Tree

    This Decision Tree provides a step by step guide to help identify most circumstances when financial assistance is a subsidy that falls within the scope of the UK Subsidy Control Act 2022 or is EU State aid that must comply with the State aid Rules.

    List of NI State aid and Subsidy Control Reference Numbers

    DfE Subsidy Control Advice Unit maintains a list of all current State aid and Subsidy Control Schemes operating in Northern Ireland.

    Services of General Economic Interest

    Services of General Economic Interest (SGEI) are services the state wants to provide for the general public which are not adequately supplied by market forces alone.

    Horizontal and Sectoral State aid Rules

    The European Commission has developed a number of Horizontal and Sectoral State aid Rules. These apply to any industry, whilst Sectoral State aid Rules apply to specific industries.

    General Block Exemption Regulation

    The General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) provides State aid cover for categories of aid which are exempt from the European Commission's (EC) formal notification process.

    Four Key Questions - Is it State aid?

    Guidance on the Four Key Questions that should be assessed to understand whether State aid is present, and how to interpret them.

    de minimis aid

    As small amounts of aid are unlikely to distort competition, a useful approved EU mechanism for State aid is the industrial de minimis regulation which allows small amounts of aid, that is, less than €300,000 over a 3 year period, to a single undertaking for a wide range of purposes.

    State aid and Subsidy Control after EU Exit

    From 4 January 2023, all subsidies provided by Public Authorities in Northern Ireland have to comply with either the European Union's State aid Rules or the UK Subsidy Control Regime

    Innovation and Enterprise

    This page presents research which explores ways in which Northern Ireland can improve its innovation performance and grow indigenous businesses, including addressing issues around access to finance and providing support through Selective Financial Assistance.

    Related to European Fund Management

    Most recent publications

    • ESF Information Memo 02/23 - document retention

      Published 10 March 2023
    • 2023 ESF case study - Disability Action 1 - Dutch translation

      Published 6 February 2023
    See all publications in this topic

    Most recent consultations

    • European Social Fund (ESF) Investment for growth and jobs programme consultation

      Published 29 July 2013 Consultation closed
    See all consultations in this topic

    Most recent news items

    • Lyons announces £2.6m additional funding for ESF projects

      Published 27 October 2022
    • Dodds announces call for applications under the European Social Fund

      Published 19 May 2021
    See all news in this topic

    Access to information

    How to request information from the Department for the Economy including Freedom of Information (FOI) and the use of our Publication Scheme.

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