PP17123 - ERDF Review & LEP Benchmarking

The Objective is to carry out the following two pieces of work to be Tendered as two Lots: 1) European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Review and Regional Workshops - a national economic review and analysis of delivery of ERDF activity on low carbon and energy. This will involve working with BEIS, DCLG and all LEPs in England, exploring the economic advantages of ring-fencing funding for these areas, and holding a series of regional workshops.

The Aim of the work is to: • Analyse and report on delivery of low carbon and energy ERDF projects including identification of strategic priorities for future investment, case studies, lessons learnt and make recommendations for future funding and to develop and deliver five regional workshops. The work does not replace or aim to replicate project requirements for local level summative assessments and contribution to the national evaluation of ERDF.

This work should feed into the summative assessments and national evaluation. Data and information sharing across contractors will be crucial.

BEIS will lead on ensuring coordination. The Vision is to: • Provide clear understanding of the impact of existing funding through ERDF • Provide more informed and focussed decision making on developing, funding and implementing low carbon and energy projects post-Brexit 2) England-wide Local Enterprise (LEP) and City Region Benchmarking Study Updates & National Event - an update and extension of a previous study undertaken in 2016 by Sustainability West Midlands.

The work should also include an agreed dissemination of the findings. The Aim of the work is to: • Report on progress in both LEP and City Region activity around low carbon and energy including a written report, directory of delivery programmes, case studies, benchmarking against other activities and dissemination through a good practice event.

Lot 1 will be the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Review and Regional Workshops. Lot 2 England-wide Local Enterprise (LEP) and City Region Benchmarking Study Updates & National Event. The Total Budget available is £85,000 to deliver both pieces of work.