NWOP Funding Priorities
The North West Operational Programme, managed by the NWDA, has four Priority Areas for funding as detailed on their NWOP Website. Below is a linked summary taken from this website which seeks to explain the variety of opportunities available to partners within Greater Manchester.
The Priority Areas contain Action Areas. Each Action Area is driven by a comprehensive Investment Framework detailing the types of activity to be funded and identifying the types of organisations that are best placed to deliver such projects.
Each Investment Framework has been developed in consultation with local, sub-regional and regional partners and approved by the Programme Monitoring Committee.
NWOP funding is allocated in accordance with these Investment Frameworks and has specific rules that have to be followed in order for an application to be successful. Further details on the NWOP funding guide can be found by clicking here
PRIORITY 1 – Stimulating Enterprise and Supporting Growth in Target and Markets
This Priority provides business support and funds financial instruments which help improve the competitiveness of the region’s businesses, especially in high-value key sectors, such as Energy & Environmental Technologies and Biomedical. It also supports work with the region’s businesses in all sectors to improve resource efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.
ACTION AREA 1-1 – Developing high value new enterprise
ACTION AREA 1-2 – Developing higher added-value activity in target regional sectors
ACTION AREA 1-3 – Increasing sustainable consumption and production
PRIORITY 2 – Exploiting Innovation and Knowledge
This Priority targets performance change within Northwest businesses and institutions by driving forward the take-up of knowledge and innovation – which are key drivers of growth and opportunity in all sectors and markets.
ACTION AREA 2-1 – Exploiting the science and R&D base of the region
ACTION AREA 2-2 – Encouraging innovation to improve productivity in all companies
PRIORITY 3 – Creating the Conditions for Sustainable Growth
This Priority focuses on providing the conditions that will support the Northwest’s aspirations for sustainable economic growth by regionally significant investments which: provide the infrastructure – including sites and premises for SMEs – necessary for economic growth in targeted locations; and enhance the region’s cultural and visitor offer in support of the development of sustainable tourism.
Regional partners also wish to examine the potential for the use of JESSICA (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) within this Priority.
ACTION AREA 3-1 – Exploiting the economic potential of major gateways in Merseyside
ACTION AREA 3-2 – Developing high quality sites and premises of regional importance
ACTION AREA 3-3 – Supporting the improvement of the region’s visitor offer and image
PRIORITY 4 – Growing and Accessing Employment
This Priority focuses on growing the region’s economic base, with the aim of improving economic performance across the Northwest by linking job growth to areas/groups where there is a need to increase economic participation.
Regional partners also wish to examine the potential for the use of JESSICA (Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas) and JEREMIE (Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises Initiative) within this Priority.
ACTION AREA 4-1 -Stimulate enterprise in disadvantaged communities and under-represented groups
ACTION AREA 4-2 -Supporting linkages to key employment areas
ACTION AREA 4-3 – Supporting employment creation for areas of regeneration need
