Today, organisations in Wales in the education, third sector and business sectors have issued an open letter calling for the full replacement of European Structural and Investment Funds, and for that replacement to be devolved to Wales.
The letter is signed by Universities Wales, Colleges Wales, the National Union of Students Wales, the Learning and Work Institute, the Federation of Small Businesses Wales, the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
For Wales, European Structural and Investment Funds will total around £2 billion in the period 2014-2020. These funds support:
- research and innovation
- the most disadvantaged communities
- young people and adults seeking to improve their skills, find employment and build careers
- sustainable management of our natural resources
The letter asks parties and candidates in the 2019 General Election in Wales to commit to replacing these funds in full, and ensuring that these funds are devolved to Wales.
