A SEARCH is on for members of a committee which will play a vital part in deciding where more than £100 million of European funding in the Marches should be focused.

A new programme of European funding is being launched this year – with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) being given responsibility by central government for deciding where investment should be focused.

The Marches region has been allocated around £105 million of EU funding for projects being developed and delivered between 2014 and 2020.

Now, a recruitment process is being launched for members to join a European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) committee to oversee the programme and projects for an initial three-year term.

The Marches LEP, the private sector-led organisation working in partnership with local authorities in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, has developed an ESIF strategy which sets out priority areas where this funding should be directed.

Roger Phillips, chairman of the LEP funding forum, said: “The ESIF committee will have a strategic role and be involved in prioritising investments, choosing between options and deciding courses of action in cases of poor performance for EU-funded projects within the Marches.

“Made of up of 17 members, the committee will include representatives from the business, education and skills, rural and voluntary and community sectors, the three local authorities and a representative from the LEP.”

The European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund and European Agricultural Rural Development Fund form the total allocation and key areas which funded projects must support.

These include research and innovation, SME competitiveness, employment and skills, social inclusion and a low carbon economy.

To apply visit marcheslep.org.uk or email Gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk or Hannah.owen@shropshire.gov.uk