ESFVON
European Social Fund Voluntary Organisations Northern
The European Commission recognises that a major part of the North East of
England has been, and continues to be, seriously effected by industrial
decline, creating high levels of unemployment which have economic and
social consequences for local communities. The North East (along with
other regions in the UK and parts of Europe) has been granted
Objective 2 status until 2006.
This means that the region can attract European funding through the
European Social Fund (ESF) typically for training and employment
measures and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for
activity which creates jobs through, e.g. support to Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs),
businesses and environmental, tourism and community economic development.
The The Single Programming Document (SPD) for 2000 - 2006, outlines the economic
conditions prevalent in the region and sets out a series of priorities and
actions which it will use to regenerate the Objective 2 area.
ESFVON is keeping voluntary and community organisations informed
on the content of the Single Programming Document and of the progress of
negotiations with the European Commission in finalising the document.
However voluntary organisations in the North East of England are encouraged
to discuss with ESFVON any matters on which they wish further advice and
information to enable them to develop project proposals.
For those organisations which are uncertain whether they are eligible to apply for
Objective 2 funding, ESFVON can provide clarification (those organisations in transitional areas,
the European Social Fund will require access through Objective 3).