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 Regional Development Fund
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.
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.