By Chris O'Connell of WEFO at the 2014 European Structural Fund events in Llanelli, Llandudno and Cardiff.

1. The European Funding Programmes in Wales
2014-2020
Cross Cutting Themes
Equal Opportunities and Gender
Mainstreaming, Sustainable Development,
Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion
Chriss O’Connell

2. European Funding

3. What are the Cross Cutting Themes?
• Cross Cutting Themes (CCTs) - also referred to
as horizontal themes
• General principles which require action in
multiple fields across the programmes and
projects
• Vertical and Horizontal integration
• They are NOT ‘bolted on’ at the end of the
process but integral to the development

4. Sustainable Development

5. Key Sustainable Development Objectives for
Wales
• Reduction in green house gas emissions
• Renewable energy
• Reduce Waste - recycling
• Improve water quality; management of land, sea and
inland water; sustainability of fisheries
• Improve built environment and access to green spaces
• Improve environmental management and risk of pollution
• Enhance the natural and cultural environment
• Promote social justice; equality and health and wellbeing

6. Projects Contributing to
Sustainable Development
COASTAL Delta Stream

7. Equal Opportunities and Gender
Mainstreaming

8. Key Equality Objectives for Wales
• Reduce numbers of NEETs
• Support older workers; WLHC remain in work
• Pay gap for women, BME and disabled people
• Under-representation of women in STEM
• Occupational segregation
• Support employers - inclusive workplaces
• Entrepreneurship and business start-ups for under
represented groups
• Access to technology / childcare
• Promote and facilitate use of Welsh Language
• Health and wellbeing

9. Projects Contributing to Equal
Opportunities and Gender Mainstreaming
Regional SEN (Special
Educational Needs)
Transition to Employment
Women Adding Value to the
Economy (WAVE)

10. Tackling Poverty & Social
Exclusion

11. Key Tackling Poverty Objectives for Wales
• Access to sustainable employment
• Tackling barriers - skills, childcare, transport
• Tackling economic inactivity
• Workless households
• Support for those in low paid / low hours / temp jobs / p/t
• Support employers - workforce development progression
• Energy efficiency measures - addressing fuel poverty

12. Projects contributing to Tackling
Poverty & Social Exclusion
Cyrenians Supported
Employment and Training
Increasing BME
Employment and Tackling
Economic Inactivity

13. EU Common Strategic Framework
General Regulation 2014-2020 Programmes
Consistent approach across the following funds:
• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• European Social Fund (ESF)
• European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Development (EAFRD)
• European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

14. Why are they in the European
Programmes?
• Two ways to answer this question:
HAVE to be -
SHOULD be –

15. Why the CCTs HAVE to be there:
• The General Regulations governing the European
Programmes stipulate that all projects funded through
the Common Strategic Framework, must integrate Equal
Opportunities and Gender Mainstreaming (Article 7) and
Sustainable Development (Article 8).
• In addition the horizontal principle Tackling Poverty and
Social Inclusion has been included as a Welsh CCT
• UK and Welsh Legislation, policies and standards

16. Why the CCTs SHOULD be there:
• Add value
• Raise awareness
• Ensure maximum
participation and mitigate
adverse impacts

17. Why the CCTs SHOULD be there:
Move beyond compliance - support good practice

18. How to contribute:
CCT Objectives and Indicators:
• What’s relevant to your activity?
• What are you already doing which could
contribute?
• What might you consider doing which could
contribute?
• What’s the added value for your organisation?

19. Implementation of the CCTs
• EIA and SEA recommendations built in
• CCT targets agreed at project level
• Assessment of CCTs in each project
• Regular monitoring at review meetings
• CCT implementation covered in all evaluations

20. Helping Hand
• Ongoing specialist advice • Programme of awareness
raising

21. CCT Guidance and Factsheets

22. Summary:
• Not bolted on
• Small steps
Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich
Ewrop & Chymru: Buddsoddi yn eich
Dyfodol
dyfodol Europe &Wales: Investing in
your future
Europe andWales: Investing in your future

23. Cross Cutting Themes Team
• Rob Halford - Head of Planning and Strategy Division
• Chriss O’Connell – Head of CCT’s Team
• Rhian Power - Environmental Sustainability Adviser
• Nigel Carter - Equality Officer
• Phillipa Morgan – Tackling Poverty Officer
• Vacant – 2 x Rural CCT’s Officer
• Simon Dupree -Team Support
• Tiffany Edmunds – Horizontal Implementation Officer
Project related questions / information should be sent to
the WEFO Cross Cutting Themes Mailbox
wefocrosscuttingthemes@wales.gsi.gov.uk