WP3623 - ERDF Summative Assessment - AWARD

Walsall Council, on behalf of the Black Country Technical Assistance Team (BCTA), is seeking a high quality provider for the:

Black Country ERDF Technical Assistance Project (2016-2020).

Walsall Council is the accountable body for the Black Country European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Technical Assistance Project. This project is part funded through the European Union's European Regional Development Fund Programme 2014-2020, the Black Country Consortium and the four Black Country Local Authorities (Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton City Council). The project was awarded ?204,367 ERDF monies plus ?204,367 matched funding.

The purpose of the grant is to build on a central team for the Black Country that provides technical advisory support, ensuring that quality proposals are designed in accordance with ERDF and national funding requirements. The team facilitates wide ranging access to the Programme, through stakeholder engagement and promotional activities and events to increase the visibility of ERDF funding in the sub-region.

The Black Country ERDF Technical Assistance Team's role is to support the development of ERDF activity across Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Working closely with the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, Black Country Consortium, the four Black Country Local Authorities and other public, voluntary sector and private partners, the Team:

• oSupports applicants with development of ERDF eligible and compliant projects
• oEnhances delivery of ERDF communications
• oCaptures best practice and presents achievements on the Black Country ERDF Programme.

Further information on the Technical Assistance Project and ERDF Programme for the Black Country can be found in the Black Country ESIF Strategy (https://www.blackcountrylep.co.uk/business-growth/funding-opportunities/european-investment/) or via the Black Country Technical Assistance website (https://go.walsall.gov.uk/bcta)