Stephen Fox

Background

About Stephen Fox

Freelance EU funding facilitator and project broker.Started a Civil Service career with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of Scotland. Followed a path on EU funding, after first cutting teeth on writing the first ever rural development programme adopted by the EU - the Integrated Development Programme for the Western Isles in 1982. Later developed ERDF programmes for Scotland, including Objective 1 Programme for the Highlands and Islands. Since then active in pursuing EU funds under regional, rural and employment policies and many other programmes. These activities has seen service for the European Commission (DG Regio), the Swedish Agriculture Ministry in Stockholm and the Czech Ministry for Regional Development in Prague. A lot of this work involved raising capacity of organisation and businesses to bid for and manage EU funded projects. Following these travels, including spell in Brussels as a diplomat, became Rural Bidding Champion for the West Midlands (England). In this role, helped to secure €7 million EU funds over 3 years (2009- 11) and, in particular, worked on attracting EU funds INTERREG for biomass raising the profile and participation of West Midlands. I sees myself very much as a facilitator using knowledge and experience of EU programmes and the processes to access them to help build capacity for those interested in tapping into EU funds. Also, have extensive experience in developing policy through negotiations in the European Council and lobbying of the European Commission and European Parliament. Since 2011 developed specialism in renewable energy and agriculture looking to facilitate access to EU funds and make supply chain business contacts.Specialties: EU funding,HORIZON EUROPE Lobbying in Brussels, EU Agricultural and Regional and Rural policies, renewable energy particularly wind energy