ESFVON
European Social Fund Voluntary Organisations Northern
ESF OBJECTIVE 3 FROM 2002 ONWARDS
The system of applying for Objective 3 is now changing, but ESFVON will be
keeping you informed of developments and providing you with support as it has
done in the past, and details of forthcoming events on future bidding to ESF
Objective 3 are enclosed.
Since 1998, organisations seeking Objective 3 funding applied directly to
Government Office for the North East, a system which has resulted in the
voluntary sector being approved for almost £25,000,000 of ESF in the last 18
months alone!
During last year, ESFVON gave advance notice of the introduction of the
co-financing of ESF Objective 3. This was highlighted in a keynote address given by
Ken Lambert, Joint International Unit, European Social Fund Division at our Euro
Lunch last September.
Since that time, the four Learning and Skills Councils (LSCs) in the North
East have applied for, and been granted, status as Co-Financing Organisations
(CFOs).
Co-financing means paying both ESF money and match funding to providers in
a single stream.
Co-financing has been designed to achieve the following:
- to secure better value for money
- to provide for innovation and creativity at regional and local levels
- to promote greater coherence, co-ordination and targeting of provision
- to reduce bureaucracy and administration for providers
There will be a number of alternatives for you to consider:
In the North East a major part of ESF Objective 3 funds is now being
channelled through Co-financing Organisations (currently the four LSCs) and
each of them have developed co-financing plans setting out the priorities for
funding in their respective areas.
Not all the LSCs are covering the same Policy Fields and/or Measures and
applications forms, processes and selection, whilst similar, are not
identical. Also, applications rounds may be for restricted types of
activity, whereas in the past you could apply for any eligible activity
within a Policy Field or Measure.
Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and Tees Valley are already conducting their
first application rounds with the closing date for applications being between
the end of January / beginning of February 2002. County Durham is to
announce their first round in February 2002.
Future bidding rounds will be dependent on the availability of resources.
A limited amount of funds will still be available through Government Office
but these will only be in respect of applications addressing activities for
which the Co-Financing organisations do not have a remit.
Please note that it is anticipated that the next round of Direct Applications
may not be until May 2002.
Towards the end of last year, Global Grants schemes were launched in each of
the LSC areas.
Global Grants are relatively small funding awards, which can be made to
individuals aged 16 - 64, or small organisations. There is no minimum grant
but the maximum that can applied for is £10,000.
The Grants will support activities which will improve the employability of
disadvantaged people and will target funds to those who have been unable to
access the mainstream ESF Objective 3.
Take advantage of one of our FREE information events which ESFVON are
promoting in conjunction with the Learning & Skills Councils, by returning the
enclosed booking form. These occasions, designed to help you understand the
new arrangements, will provide an overview of the opportunities available for
voluntary and community organisations and will outline the processes involved
in seeking support from Co-Financing Organisations.
For specific project enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact ESFVON on
0191 284 9886.
Last Updated: 30 January 2002