NW ESF Community Grants Grant Coordinating Body Ian Standish WEA Regional Education Manager

WEA  A large voluntary adult educational provider and national charity - established in  A single Association with elected & appointed Trustees, an Association Committee, democratically elected by members.  Covers all 9 English regions.  NW – Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester with offices in Manchester, Liverpool & Workington.  In 2009/10, in partnership with a wide range of voluntary and community orgs’, ran over 10,000 courses with over 100,000 enrolments.

ESF Community Grant Coordinating Body Role  To make sure that the programme supports and reaches the communities and individuals who need it.  Develop & manage a Community Grants Programme on behalf of the SFA (Two contracts).  Engage key stakeholders in the delivery model across the region.  Develop & publicise an application process.  Receive, assess and select applications for grants and provide support to grant recipients.  Monitor & evaluate outcomes & performance.  Liaise & work with regional/sub regional partnerships.

ESF Community Grant Activities (Up to £12k) Examples:  Help with basic skills  Taster work experience inc voluntary work  Training advice and guidance  Job search assistance  Confidence building  Personal development  Support to overcome barriers to training and employment

ESF Community Grant target groups and priority  NW - £1,852,655 & Merseyside £355,164  Eligible – unemployed and economically inactive people over 18 years & who are from hardest to reach communities.  Priority groups are – participants with disabilities or health conditions, aged 50 & over, ethnic minorities, lone parents, participants who are female.

ESF Community Grants Capacity Building Grants Available  Small third sector organisations eligible to apply.  Requires further definition but some example activities may include:  Training for staff and volunteers on mainstream routes to employment and training.  Development of accreditation arrangements in- house.

ESF Community Grants  Two to three grant rounds per year.  Local support workshops & events to advertise the fund & help applicants apply.  Prospectus providing all information on how to apply, eligible activity, application forms, local contacts for support etc.  Use a range of media to advertise and market the fund including social media.

ESF Community Grants Contact Details: WEA North West Region Amanda Smith – direct line: (Office ) Website