Current Projects

Objective 2

We are working with the Government Office for London (GOL) and local partners to contribute to the economic regeneration of the Upper Lee Valley (ULV) through the use of European Structural Funds, particularly the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF), within the Objective 2 programme.

About Objective 2

Objective 2 aims to encourage business development, enterprise and innovation in order to create a range of sustainable, good quality employment opportunities that meet the needs and aspirations of local people.

The programme nurtures residents and community groups in key wards, supports new and existing businesses and contributes to physical regeneration across the area. Objective 2 support encourages innovation and environmental sustainability, seeks to maximise local benefit from all its funded projects and actively promotes equal opportunities. Objective 2 focuses on areas suffering industrial decline, urban deprivation, low economic activity and social exclusion. In north London, the programme aims to close the gap between the ULV and the rest of the capital by tackling barriers to economic opportunity. It aims to ensure new sustainable opportunities are open to all people living and working in the ULV area.

Objective 2 in the ULV

The Objective 2 programme in the ULV stretches from the M25 in north eastern Enfield, down the industrial corridor into the eastern side of Haringey and south down to Leyton in Waltham Forest.

What does Objective 2 support?

Objective 2 has three priorities:

Priority 1: community economic development.
Priority 2: business development and competitiveness.
Priority 3: infrastructure, premises and the environment.

In addition to the priorities and measures the Objective 2 programme requires all projects to address four cross-cutting 'horizontal' themes:

Equal Opportunities.
Supporting Innovation.
Sustainable Development.
Ensuring Local Benefit for the Residents of the Objective 2 Area.

ULV European Executive Group:

O'bay Community Trust.
London North Learning and Skills Council.
Government Office for London.
Business Link 4 London.
London Borough of Waltham Forest.
London Borough of Haringey.
London Borough of Enfield.
London Development Agency.
CONEL.
Collage Arts.
Middlesex University.
Waltham Forest College.
Job Centre Plus.
London Voluntary Sector Training Consortium.
Edmonton Community Regeneration Alliance.
North London Chamber of Commerce.

Useful websites and contacts

Government Office for London (GOL)

GOL (European Funding)
Upper Lee Valley Objective 2 Strategy
Upper Lee Valley Community Economic Development Plan

London Development Agency

Strategy
Skills & Knowledge
Business Support & Enterprise
London Skills and Employment Board

Learning and Skills Council (London North)

Local Research

London Borough of Haringey (home page)

London Borough of Enfield (home page)

London Borough of Waltham Forest (home page)

Projects managed by Urban Futures

Specialist Business Growth Gateway

This project, which began in April 2005, will deliver a complete suite of free business support services to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), start-ups and pre start-ups through a wide-range of experienced local providers and accessed through a single gateway. The Specialist Business Growth Gateway specifically targets entrepreneurs and companies who have not historically participated in enterprise or accessed traditional business support. Working with all businesses in the ULV Objective 2 area, but especially those in the key sectors of manufacturing, creative and cultural industries, ICT, green industries, biotechnology and social enterprises, project activities will offer 24/7 business advice to existing and potential entrepreneurs. By focusing on SMEs with the vision or potential for growth, the project will maximise the economic development and employment opportunities for residents of the ULV Objective 2 area.

For further information or referral to a suitable business support agency contact William Clark via email: william.clark@urbanfutures.org.uk or on 020 8352 5941.

Lee Valley Industrial Estates Programme

The Industrial Estates Improvement Programme will develop five industrial estates in Enfield and Haringey over 3 years. The work, totalling £11.5m, commenced in 2005 and will be completed in 2007. The programme is a strategic area regeneration package, addressing the needs of industrial estates, vacant properties and reclaimed land in need of development. The Lee Valley Industrial Estates Programme will provide the Upper Lee with the means to retain growth businesses in the key priority sectors, by improving the availability, desirability and accessibility of premises for SME businesses within target areas.

Key partners include:

London Borough of Enfield
London Borough of Haringey