The Vision

"To tackle social and economic exclusion by bringing about better coordination and long term strategic planning of public and private sector investment"

The Objectives

• To improve economic performance in deprived areas.
• To improve the employment opportunities of disadvantaged groups.
• To address social exclusion and inequalities.
  
  Specifically:-
• To build capacity and leadership in the regeneration sector.
• To harness mainstream and existing funding.
• To increase opportunities for learning and skills.
• To improve support for social enterprises.

What is Economic Participation?

Economic Participation is an example of EEDA's new role as a regional catalyst and facilitator for change

• Community driven.
• Evidence based.
• Collaborative.
• Long-term.
• Holistic.
• Sustainable.
• Joint investment planning.

What it's NOT

• SRB exit strategy.
• Bidding fund.
• A fixed model - EEDA have torn up the rule book?!
• Short term projects.
• To make up the shortfall in mainstream funding.
• Isolated from other regeneration activity.
• Ignoring rural or market town issues.
• About allocations of funds for each area.

The Five Themes for Economic Participation

1. Thinking strategically, changing mindsets
Refocusing current activity by building capacity and commitment to Economic Participation amongst partners. Building on the existing partnerships until the organisations within it truly work in partnership rather than as partners.

2. Improved access to work and enterprise
Overcoming social exclusion caused by poverty and unemployment. Opening up job and training opportunities in the regions growth sectors.

3. Improved support for social enterprise
Developing a strategy that will, through research and auditing of social enterprises in the area, help to improve support for social enterprise whilst providing much needed community services.

4. Ambitious young people
Examining youth exclusion and identifying its causes, working in partnership with key youth agencies to find solutions.

5. Building better communities
Better places for people to live and work, linking physical regeneration with the needs of disadvantaged local people using the master planning approach.

For further details please contact Essex County Council www.essex.gov.uk