ESF Programme 2007 - 2013
Introduction
The European Social Fund (ESF) is one the European Union's (EU) Structural Funds and seeks to reduce the differences in
levels of prosperity across the individual Member States, and enhance economic and social cohesion.
Accordingly, most funds go those countries and regions where economic development is less advanced. The ESF Programme
2007 - 2013 will invest £4.6 billion across Europe of which £2.3 billion will be ESF and the remaining £2.3 billion
provided by national funding.
ESF supports the EU's goal of increasing employment by funding opportunities for unemployed and disadvantaged people to
receive training and support to gain employment or self employment. Focusing on those most in need of help it contributes
to reducing inequality, equipping the workforce with the skills needed by employers.
The North East of England will receive £180 million during 2007 - 2013
Objectives
The ESF Programme has two primary objectives:
Convergence - which aims to help those regions whose economy is lagging behind the rest of Europe. (In England, only
Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are eligible for funding under this objective).
Regional Competitiveness and Employment - covers all of England apart from those areas qualifying under the Convergence
objective.
Priorities
There are two main priorities in England:
Priority 1 - Extending Employment Opportunities
Funding under this Priority supports projects to tackle barriers to work faced by unemployed and disadvantaged people.
Priority 2 - Developing a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce
Funding under this Priority supports projects to train people who do have the basic skills and qualifications needed in the workplace.
Target Groups
The target groups reflect the differing focus of each of the Priorities:
Priority 1 - ESF is focused on those who are unemployed, or who have become inactive in the labour market, and those
facing disadvantage. More specifically, key target groups include:
Priority 2 - ESF is focused on those people in the workforce who lack basic skills of qualifications.
Regional Framework
The North East of England, like other regions, have a Regional Framework which sets out the priorities for using ESF,
taking account of regional needs and skill shortages.
The Framework informs the plans of the Co-financing Organisations, and as such the tender opportunities which are made available.
Co-Financing Organisations (CFOs)
ESF funds are distributed through Co-Financing Organisations (CFOs) which are public bodies that bring together ESF
and domestic funding for employment and skills, complementing national programmes.
In the North East of England, the CFOs are the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) and the Department for Work and Pensions.
The CFOs contract with the providers that actually deliver the ESF on the ground.
How to Apply
CFOs make ESF available through a process of open and competitive tendering.
Periodically, the CFOs will announce tender opportunities which will set out the scope, size, actions and outputs which
will be sought for the available funding.
Any third sector organisation (including voluntary and community organisations), public or private organisations which
are legally formed can apply for funding. However, it should be noted that the size and scale of tenders may often be
so large that third sector organisations may require to consider a partnership with other organisations.
Additionally, in respect of tenders issued by the LSC, applicants require to have previously achieved Qualified Provider
Framework (QPF) status with the LSC.
The QPF can be sought at any time and once pre-qualified will receive invitations to tender in future tendering rounds.
If you are successful, you will receive a single stream of funding from the CFO as they are responsible for both the ESF
and the 50% Match Funding required i.e. you do not have to find your own Match Funding.
ESF Community Grants
These are small grants of up to £12,000 available to voluntary and community organisations to assist them in reaching
disadvantaged people who are not in employment.
Details of the organisation which will be administering the grants in the North East region, and the application process,
have yet to be announced by the LSC.
