An investment to support business growth in the environmental goods and services sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by offering higher level skills training and advice to more than 200 employees and managers has been approved for almost half a million pounds worth of ESF Convergence investment.

An historic former dairy building in Penzance is to be converted to provide high spec, flexible office accommodation with support from ERDF Convergence investment.

Union representatives from across Cornwall have been learning how best to help those affected by the recession at a one day event supported by ESF Convergence.

A group of Cornwall College students from the Restormel area took part in a dragon’s den live event recently as they pitched their marketing ideas for two festive products to Asda’s Fresh Team Leader, Rick Rawle. The event was supported through the ESF Convergence funded ‘ICE House’ project, which aims to research and embed teaching and learning methods that develop and support learners’ skills in innovation, creativity and enterprise (ICE).

> Click here for more details

“We have a strong legacy of design and invention in Cornwall, where the industrial pioneers Trevithick, Murdock and Davy helped to unleash the industrial age. Designs of the time (Dott Cornwall) is a chance to tap into that spirit of innovation again, but this time to create new solutions to social and economic challenges for a very different world.

“European research shows that 80% of the impact of any new product or service is determined in the design phase. Thus a relatively small investment at this stage has significant potential to yield a strong return on investment.

“Dott aims to add value to Convergence projects by applying a different design process. The conventional design process is for the client to write a brief, then for the designer to produce a solution, which is then offered to the end user. The Dott process is different because it enables everyone to work together from the start. The client, designer and end user engage in a process of co-discovery and co-creation. The end user brings insights and first-hand experience of the issues, the client brings goals and resources, and the designer brings creative expertise and a structured process.

“During 2010 Dott Cornwall will be working with world-class designers on a series of high profile projects to explore how design can help Cornwall. It will focus on issues such as employment, community, transport, health and social care needs. In particular, Dott Cornwall focuses on how the design process can be used to develop new solutions that bring lasting benefits for the people who use them.

“Dott Cornwall is part of a ten-year programme of national events developed by the Design Council. It is a partnership between the Design Council, Cornwall Council and University College Falmouth.”

Find Rural Development Programme updates and contacts on the Convergence website.

For contact details and information about the fisheries programme visit the European Fisheries Fund section on the Convergence website.