Development of an Integrated Economic Development Strategy for M&EA

Tender description

A cohesive and integrated economic strategy for the new Council area, will focus on and maximise the impact of partnership interventions. This strategy should connect the policies and actions of all relevant stakeholders and be presented as a collective document with the purpose of maximising economic impact to rebuild and rebalance the region’s economy for the benefit of everyone in Mid and East Antrim. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council (“the Council”), invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced contractors for the development of an Integrated Economic Strategy for the new Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area. The IES should be closely aligned with the key existing strategies, policy documents including Invest NI’s Corporate Plan, and other relevant strategies, action plans and policies including the Programme for Government, associated Departmental plans and draw out opportunities/actions presented by transferring functions under RPA. The principle backdrop should be the Northern Ireland Economic Strategy and the IES should be the Mid and East Antrim approach to the delivery of this Strategy, focussing on the goals, targets and actions for delivery to effect the required change to enhance our competitiveness. The strategy will also serve as a framework for drawing down EU funding to promote economic and social cohesion in the region. Thus it should clearly fit with the EU 2020 priorities as well as the themes of the Structural Funds, in particular European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF). The Integrated Economic Strategy will be closely aligned with key existing strategies, policy documents and action plans including Programme for Government, Northern Ireland Economic Strategy and Comprehensive Action Plan (2015 update), Horizon 2020, the NI Innovation Strategy 2014 – 2025, DETI Export Strategy 2016 – 2025, ‘Going for Growth’ strategy, the draft Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020 etc.