Regeneration Vision

The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership is the Island’s Development agency, with a remit to improve quality of life by:

• Building competitive businesses
• Creating a culture of innovation
• Developing the Isle of Wight as one of the UK's top tourism and leisure destinations
• Improving skills and employability
• Regenerating our most disadvantaged areas
• Regenerating our rural communities

For most of its inhabitants, the Island is a wonderful place to live and work – beautiful, safe, close to the mainland yet with a strong local sense of identity. The Isle of Wight Economic Partnership is committed to maintaining and further enhancing this unique quality of life which sets us apart from other areas of the country.

The Regeneration team has accessed over £23 million pounds of grants from the UK Government and European Union since 1981 and currently operate a range of funding programmes which can be accessed by local organisations to deliver real benefits to the Island.

This covers a huge range of activities, including:

• Regenerating the Island’s towns and villages
• Helping to provide new facilities and opportunities for local people
• Social and community projects
• Helping to improve quality of life through skills training
• Access to information, to child care or to activities for a healthier or more satisfying lifestyle
• Environmental and rural projects - helping rural businesses, improving rural life and enhancing the environment

Many of the projects create meaningful jobs directly and indirectly and, of course, regeneration is a valuable and integral part of the Island’s tourism industry.

‘ To establish the Island as one of the fastest growing economies in the South East, creating sustainable new jobs and investment opportunities and ensuring that all our residents share in the benefits of improved prosperity.’

Open for Business (The Island’s regeneration strategy) 2001-2005.