The European agenda at the regional level will focus on the following priorities for the period 2009 – 2013. This will allow the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), 4NW – Regional Leaders Board (4NW) and partners to continue to use our resources more effectively and make the most of our engagement with the European Union.

The region’s European priorities for 2009 – 2013 concentrate on a small number of thematic issues.

Thematic Priorities	Sub-Themes	Examples of supporting regional organisations and initiatives
Economy	Enterprise and SMEs Research, Development, Technology and Innovation Internationalisation	Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) FrameworksNW
Environment	Climate Change Energy Resource Efficiency and Eco-Innovation	Climate Change Action Plan Partnership Envirolink Northwest Environment Agency
People	Education and Skills Demographic Change and Economic Inclusion Health	Demographic Change Group Northwest Health Brussels Office

England’s Northwest will deliver these priorities by accessing European programmes outside of the three regionally administered funding streams – the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF) and Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

Organisations across the region with a particular interest in our thematic areas will be engaged to support this delivery.

In addition to the thematic priorities, England’s Northwest will engage to influence the debate on the future of the European Union and its policies. 

We will also further develop our strategic relationship with regional Members of the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions representatives and promote England’s Northwest in Brussels.

Priorities	Themes	Lead Organisation / Initiative
Future of the European Union	EU2020 Strategy Territorial Cohesion EU Budget Common Agricultural Policy Reform	NWREP
Territorial Co-operation Programmes	Increased awareness and participation by Northwest partners	European Cooperation Group
Relationships and Promotion	Development of relationships with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Committee of the Regions (CoR) Members Promotion of the region in Brussels and beyond	NWDA 4NW England’s Northwest in Brussels NWREP

Find out more about the Northwest Regional European Partnership.

Find out more about the European Cooperation Group.