United in Diversity - 50 Years of European Harmony

• Funding and Regeneration
• Town Twining
• Environment
• Equal Pay and Equal Opportunities

Funding and Regeneration

Tameside has received significant amounts of funding from the European Funding and will continue to do so.

Over £24 million from the European Regional Development Fund has been secured by Tameside MBC since 1997.

Major infrastructure projects such as the creation of Ashton Moss (£2m), the rebuilding of Ashton Market Hall (1.65m), Droylsden Marina (£1m) and St Petersfield (£2m) have benefited from funding from the European Union.

European Funding has also enabled local people to benefit through the regeneration programmes carried out by the Ashton Regeneration Partnership and the Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership .

In addition, European monies have helped Tameside promote business start up through advice and guidance to those wishing to start a business and has supported existing businesses and helped them grow. More information on Business Support.

Information on European Funded projects throughout the North West , including:

• The re-building of bomb damaged Manchester city centre
• The Lowry Centre
• Metrolink
• The Bridgewater Hall
• The Tate Gallery
• The Imperial War Museum

Future Funding

The North West of England will continue to receive a substantial amount of European Funding in the new 2007-2013 funding programme. Tameside will continue to seek additional resources to fund projects from the £524 million available to the North West .

Town Twinning

Tameside has a long history of town twinning and exchanges with other towns in the EU.

The most recent of these exchanges saw a visit by four students from Denton's twin town of Montigny-le-Bretonneux in France, for a period of work experience to support their college studies. Tameside College hopes to send a number of students to Montigny-le-Bretonneux for similar activity in the near future.

Environment

The EU has taken the lead on addressing climate change with new targets for all member states to commit to. Speaking in March 2007 about the new agreement, Margaret Beckett, UK Foreign Secretary said:

"Let us celebrate what is a genuinely historic agreement... It gives us the worlds first competitive, energy secure, low carbon economy and puts Europe streets ahead... It really is the EU not only showing global leadership, but showing it on an issue that is really important to the people of Europe".

See how the EU has helped improve your environment over 50 years .

Equal Pay and Equal Opportunities

Tameside MBC, along with all other Councils in the UK, are attempting to address years pay inequality between men and women.

Like most discrimination legislation, it is the European Union that ensures that all citizens of the EU are not discriminated against and ensures that national governments do not allow discrimination to take place.