ESFVON
European Structrial Funds Voluntary Organisations Northern
ESF OBJECTIVE 3
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CURRENT CO-FINANCING OPPORTUNITY IN
COUNTY DURHAM
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An invitation to tender to deliver activity in line with a project specification
has been published by County Durham Learning and Skills Council. The deadline for
submission of applications was originally 12.00 pm 13th February 2006 - however,
due to a technical difficulty not all of the prospectus was visible outside of
the LSC. The LSC have confirmed to ESFVON that the closing date for application
has now been extended to
20 February 2006
Two specifications ('themes') deriving from ESF Objective 3 Policy Field/Measure 3.1 -
Promoting Wider access and Participation in Lifelong learning; (especially for
those groups least likely to take part in lifelong learning activities and
lacking basic and key skills).
Total resource available:
theme 1, £310,000 (average funding per beneficiary, £507)
theme 2, £308,000 (average funding per beneficiary, £513)
Period of delivery: theme 1: between 1st April 2006 and March 31st 2008.
theme 2: between 14th February 2006 and 30th June 2008
Specification of themes:
Theme 1: This theme targets young people (aged 16 -18) who are currently engaged
in post statutory education or learning but deemed to be at risk of becoming
disengaged, or those who have recently become disengaged and are consequently
classified as NEET.
Theme 2: This theme targets people aged 16+ (no upper age limit) who are least
engaged with education and learning (not including those covered by theme 1)
whereby access and participation to same can be improved. A particular
emphasis (33%) is given to individuals with literacy and numeracy problems.
Target outcomes:
Both themes: 50% women; 76% positive outcomes (include employment, further training, voluntary work).
Theme 1, 611 beneficiaries, (aged 16-18); demonstrable improvement in retention
rates of FE funded activities and number of qualifications gained as a result
of these activities; reduction in number of young people registering as NEET
following disengagement from post statutory education/training.
Theme 2, 600 beneficiaries (aged16+) - about 3000 individuals to be contacted,
with about half to undertake skills check; selected 600 to be engaged in Skills
for Life development activities leading to related nationally recognised
qualification; at least 200 literacy numeracy qualifications at levels 1 & 2.
Eligibility: beneficiaries can be employed or unemployed; specific employment
training, however, is not eligible.
Area of delivery: county wide for both themes
Additional information: credible management agencies (not necessarily
delivering services themselves) may be best placed to bid respectively for each
of the contracts on offer; it would be their responsibility to orchestrate the
implementation of the project through a sub-contracted partnership (Durham LSC
cites potential delivery partners in the Bidding Prospectus)
Relevant documentation, including full tender specification, Bidding Guidance,
and Application Form is available from Co Durham LSC and may be downloaded
from the following:
www.lsc.gov.uk/countydurham/Corporate/default.htm
-then click on ESF Objective 3 Co-financing Bidding Round for 'Prospectus' and 'Guidance'.
An application pack is also available directly from County Durham LSC, by ringing the numbers indicated below.
Strategic note: Durham LSC is seeking to fund a County wide project, therefore
prospective 'part' deliverers of the above should anticipate aligning with a
significant partnership of consortia. For further information and support
about networking into a partnership or consortia contact ESFVON on 0191 274 9886
For further information contact Co Durham LSC by telephoning: Iain Wishart
on 0191 3762381 (e-mail Iain.wishart@lsc.gov.uk) or Susan Wilkinson on 0191
on 0191 3762385 (e mail Susan.Wilkinson@lsc.gov.uk), or alternatively ring ESFVON.