£2m for Gloucestershire environmental projects

Gloucestershire businesses have been invited to apply for a share of £2m in European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) for environmental projects.The investment will support the ecological network, green infrastructure, and/or natural water management activities within Gloucestershire’s urban and urban fringe areas.The GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) European Structural and Investment Funds strategy has recognised the county’s natural environment as one of its greatest assets and highlights that improvements in the local environment are needed as a catalyst to local economic growth.An improved environment is expected to attract inward investment and increase visitor spend, reduce the cost of adverse environmental conditions to communities and businesses, improve health and generate employment.Proposals should demonstrate how investment will improve the environment for people and businesses, increasing local natural capital and supporting sustainable economic growth.The call specification deadline is 17 February 2017. Further ERDF allocations are also expected to be made for Gloucestershire.