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New SocInvest2010 programme announced...
Published: 2010-03-10 08:38:14
...funding regeneration in a cold economic climate
Many funding mechanisms developed in flusher economic times are either no longer viable or in need of a radical rethink. Against this backdrop, SocInvest2010, the UK's leading summit for regeneration finance, has announced a programme to provide fresh inspiration for revitalising funding.
Themes running through the conference sessions and workshops taking place on June 16th include:
•Making better use of existing assets
•Innovative approaches to funding
•The role of European funds
•New government policies
Regarding existing assets, local authorities, education bodies, health trusts and other public organisations have assets that are a source of present and future value. The question is how best to tap into these assets in the current environment.
One answer is to revisit joint venture models to examine how the risk and reward equation can be rebalanced to produce a return for both the asset holder and developer.
Sessions at SocInvest2010 addressing this issue include:
•Driving efficiencies in assets through partnership and joint venture solutions
•Workable strategies for affordable housing
•Next generation PPPs, regeneration partnerships and LABVs
Innovative approaches to funding
Never more than at times like these, it pays to follow the money. Funding for energy continues to be available and there is potential for exploring the regeneration possibilities on the back of energy projects. SocInvest2010 addresses this in as session entitled "energy and regeneration funding opportunities", presented by McGrigor's head of energy projects Euan McVicar.
There is also scope for taking a cross-boundary approach to regeneration projects that is being pioneered by a number of city regions. This will be discussed in sessions including "rethinking funding post-recession".
And recession offers an opportunity to consider social enterprise. As Dave Neilson of Fusion21 will explain in "the role of social enterprise in regeneration", they can redefine bottom-line benefits for local government by making more efficient use of resources and contributing to the job-creation goals of local authorities in the process.
The role of European funds
Europe continues to be a source of funding for qualifying regeneration programmes. The workshop "The Welsh Urban Development Fund – the role of JESSICA" provides an in-depth look at what is involved in applying for and creating a fund backed by European capital.
New Government policies
By June, when SocInvest2010 takes place, we will know what government will be determining policy. Noone expects there to be a flow of new funds, whichever party is in power, but there could well be clarity on a number of initiatives already in the pipeline. One is tax increment financing which is well on the way to becoming a reality in Scotland. "Tax Increment Financing – the next phase" takes a close look at the options for those planning to make use of this source of finance.
See the website for further details on these workshops and sessions, and the full programme and booking details.