1. Benefits of the ESF Community Grants Programme Angeliki Stogia

2. European Social Fund The European Social Fund (ESF) is the main financial tool through which the European Union translates its strategic employment policy aims into action The North West allocation for the 2007-2013 programme is £360 million. ESF aims to improve employment opportunities in the European Union by providing financial support towards the running costs of vocational training schemes, guidance and counselling projects, job creation measures and other steps to improve the employability and skills of both employed and unemployed people

3. Community Learning Grants 2.5% of ESF – £9m is spent through Community Grants Grants up to £12K* accessed through simplified application arrangements, available to voluntary sector groups who would not otherwise be able to access ESF, to help people access the labour market – Help with basic skills – Support to overcome barriers to training and employment – Training advice and guidance – Job search assistance – Confidence building – Taster work experience including voluntary work – Personal development

4. Accessing funds in the current environment External considerations Changing structures, funding cutbacks and payments by results Push towards bigger contracts/minimum contract levels Increasing number of people suffering exclusion, disadvantage and are in poverty ESF - a national programme with regional allocations now managed nationally VCS organisations most likely to access as Lead contractor Sub-contractor / second level subcontractor Contract holder for smaller grants - ESF Community Grants

5. Ability to focus on the client Flexibility of service Responsiveness to local need Leverage of funds Development of services Collaboration with local mainstream provision Benefits of EU Community grants scheme for the sector

6. Building confidence to access by mainstream provision Participating in preliminary engagement and support Local accessible support provided in familiar community setting Breaking multiple barriers to employment Tailored solution for a pathway towards becoming economically active Benefits for the beneficiary

7. Mixed economy of provision Encouragement of innovation Responsiveness to local need at local level Offer of capacity building, local development, improved sustainability Reduction of red tape and bureaucracy Cost effectiveness Maximisation of social value and engagement Benefits for the funder

8. European Social Fund 2014-2020 Move towards local programmes LEPs have given own financial allocations across the North West and freedom to submit their own European Investment Strategies to BIS Promoting Social Inclusion and Combating Poverty a priority aspiring to make a real and lasting difference helping people change their lives LEP Guidance only one reference to “Supporting local ‘Community Grant’ type activity. “ (p.43) Community Grants is a powerful tool to support grass roots community groups to contribute in the achievement of outcomes that contribute to the LEP priorities around worklessness

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