“EU funds vital to Wales,” Finance Minister tells EU Commissioner as Welsh project wins top EU award
1 Apr 2014 02:16 PM
Finance Minister Jane Hutt has told Commissioner
Johannes Hahn that EU funds have been essential to Wales as a Welsh project is
recognised by the EU as one of the most innovative schemes across
Europe.
While in Brussels, the Minister said that the
University led BEACON bio-refining project winning the prestigious EU
RegioStars 2014 demonstrated how well Wales has invested EU funds. The project
was one of four winners out of 19 finalists chosen from 80 selected projects
being delivered across EU regions and cities in 17 Member
States.
Meeting with Regional Policy European Commissioner Hahn
the Minister also said that she was very encouraged by the level of engagement
taking place between Welsh Government, the European Commission and all sectors
in Wales in preparing the new EU Structural Funds programmes 2014-2020 so that
they support economic growth and jobs in Wales.
The
Minister said:
"EU funds are vital to the Welsh economy and I am
delighted that Wales is delivering innovative and inspiring EU-funded
projects which are being recognised across the EU. This not only demonstrates
the high quality of projects being implemented in Wales, but also the positive
impact they are having on our people, the economy, and the
environment."
She
added:
"The new EU funding programmes will build on these
successes, and the Welsh Government is continuing to work closely with Welsh
partners on future project proposals so that we can hit the ground running as
soon as the programmes are agreed by the European Commission – expected
this summer."
The
BEACON project is led by IBERS at Aberystwyth University in partnership with
Swansea and Bangor Universities. The project is helping to reduce reliance on
fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by working with businesses to
develop new, sustainable products and services from plants using a process
known as bio-refining. Through the project a Bio-refining Centre of Excellence
has been established in Wales, which is helping Wales in progressing towards a
low-carbon economy. BEACON won the EU award in the category for Sustainable
growth: Green growth and jobs through Bio-economy.
Commissioner Hahn said:
"The winners chosen by the jury show Regional
Policy in action. They and all the finalists are an inspiration for other
regions and cities around Europe and I congratulate them all most heartily.
They demonstrate innovative and dynamic approaches in the use of Structural
Funds for boosting growth and creating jobs embodying the spirit of our reform.
The projects address the biggest current challenges like tackling youth
unemployment, combating pollution and climate change, promoting sustainable
transport and supporting SME innovation. They demonstrate that EU Regional
Policy relies above all on the energy and creativity
locally."
Professor April McMahon, Vice-Chancellor of Aberystwyth
University said:
"Winning this important EU award is tribute to the
hard work and commitment of the BEACON team led by Aberystwyth University. With
our university partners in Bangor and Swansea we are working with industry, and
pooling scientific expertise and cutting-edge technology to make a significant
contribution to developing the green economy in Wales."
Another Welsh project, Swansea’s Transport
Quadrant Interchange , also reached the final in the category for CITYSTAR:
Investments projects in sustainable urban public transport.
The
RegioStars awards have been organised by the European Commission since 2008 to
highlight original and innovative projects and were judged on innovation,
impact, sustainability and partnership.
Wales will be submitting its new Structural Funds
operational programmes for negotiation and agreement with the European
Commission within the next few weeks following submission of the UK
Government’s Partnership Agreement to the European Commission
– a legal requirement.