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Cornwall projects are rooted in success

Following two projects in Cornwall being recognised with national awards from the European Social Fund (ESF), a ceremonial tree planting took place at the Tremough Innovation Centre.

Clear About Carbon and Cornwall Works for Learning Disabilities were joint winners of the ESF Specialist Project Leader Award category in the ESF Mainstreaming Leader Awards in October 2011 and were granted their choice of tree saplings as prizes. A tree planting ceremony took place as a symbolic gesture of the projects’ aim to grow knowledge and skills in their respective sectors and leave behind a real legacy for the people and businesses of Cornwall.

Clear About Carbon is a three-year project, financed by the ESF Convergence Programme Innovation, Transnationality and Mainstreaming strand, that aims to find new ways to increase carbon literacy within businesses and the public sector. This will help to ensure that Cornwall’s business community is well positioned to make the most of the opportunities presented by reducing the carbon footprint of their organisations, products and services. The project is delivered by a partnership between: Cornwall Council, Cornwall Development Company, University of Exeter, Duchy College and the Eden Project.

Cornwall Works for Learning Disabilities, which ran from June 2008 until June 2011, supported a specific client group facing multiple barriers to identify a pathway into employment based on their individual skills and aspirations. The project received £1.5 million of investment from the ESF Convergence Programme, co-financed by DWP and managed by Cornwall Development Company on behalf of Cornwall Council and its partners; Brandon Trust, Cornwall People First, Cornwall Council Adult Care and Support, Home Farm Trust and United Response.

The tree planting was attended by representatives from the investing bodies and those involved in both projects. The newly built Tremough Innovation Centre was chosen as the place to ‘put down roots’ to highlight both projects’ commitment to continued learning and development.

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said:

"The tree is a fitting symbol for these two ESF Convergence projects’ contribution towards economic regeneration in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. I often mention ‘the green shoots of new growth’ when referring to our work to strengthen the economy, and Clear About Carbon and Cornwall Works for Learning Disabilities are two examples of the diverse ways in which this growth is being successfully supported."

Chris Ridgers, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for economy and regeneration, said:

"The success of the two projects is due to the commitment and energy of all involved. They ably demonstrate the deployment of locally based skills and expertise, providing as they do further proof that the Duchy has developed a leading position in delivering effective programmes supported by European Union Convergence funding."

Suzanne Bond, Chief Executive of Cornwall Development Company, said:

"Both projects are excellent examples of Cornwall’s pioneering and innovative approach in a wide variety of sectors, from achieving a low carbon economy to improving the skills of our communities."

Richard Snell, Manager of the Tremough Innovation Centre, said:

"We congratulate Clear About Carbon and Cornwall Works for Learning Disabilities on their ESF Specialist Project awards and are proud to have been chosen to nurture the tree in the coming years."