Merseyside deserves a 21st century economy of the highest standards. One of the ways in which we are championing this ambition is through the Programme’s three ‘cross-cutting themes’ (CCTs):

The term CCTs, however, does not do justice to its full meaning. In short, it represents a vision of a place fit for the future, delivered through high quality initiatives. Seen in that way, the CCTs seek to stimulate a society:

• Where everyone is treated equally, diversity is celebrated and the talents of all sections of the community are utilised

• That respects its environment and does not cheat on its children and grandchildren

• That is at the leading edge of technological change, harnessing the power of the digital age for the good of its citizens and businesses

The CCTs are the quality seams across all the Programme’s activities: image, transport, property, business development, skills, employment and community projects. Together with the spatial dimension, expressed in the SIAs and Pathways, they create an integrated approach to economic and social regeneration.

Strategy development will take place at a regional and sub-regional level. The following regional agencies will play a key role: Action for Sustainability, North West Node and the Equality and Diversity Strategy, supported by NWRA’s CCT champions.

In Merseyside, CCT staff and non-executives, most of whom are CCT champions in the Programme’s governance structures, will meet regularly to test and develop strategies. Merseyside agencies will be closely involved, including Merseyside Social Inclusion Observatory and Merseyside Digital Development Agency.

Linked to the strategy development will be a renewed focus on best practice across the world and a significant increase in the marketing effort, so all agencies and potential applicants capture the vision behind the CCTs and are inspired by what has happened in other parts of the world.

 

Embedding good practice

Every project that is funded by the Objective One Programme needs to reflect a minimum standard of ICT, equal opportunities, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. Projects are encouraged to think about these issues at a very early stage and engage with the CCT Service to obtain advice and guidance. This minimum standard is called the Minimum Quality Threshold or MQT.

This does not mean that every project has to reflect best practice in all three themes. It does mean that every project needs to reflect the themes to an appropriate level. In some cases for example, the amount of ICT may be very small and the amount of environmental sustainability may be high. The CCT service will be able to advise you on levels of appropriateness. Applicants are also encouraged to look at case studies that show how different projects funded by the Programme have dealt with the CCTs.

The CCT Service also publishes written guidance about how to apply the CCTs to a range of different type of projects. However, because of the diverse nature of projects, each project will reflect the CCTs in its own way and applicants may need to engage appropriate expert advice at an early stage to ensure that CCT issues are embedded.