South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)

Brief Summary of ESF - What is ESF?

The European Social Fund (ESF) is one of four main structural funds set up to help reduce differences in living standards between the regions of the European Union (EU).

ESF contributes to the European Employment Strategy supporting policies and initiatives described in the Operational Plan and South East ESF Framework 2007-10.

• Priority 1 – Extending employment opportunities; to increase employment and reduce unemployment and inactivity and to help tackle barriers to work faced by disadvantaged groups
• Priority 2 – Developing a skilled and adaptable workforce; to develop a skilled and adaptable workforce by reducing the number of workers without basic skills, increasing qualifications to L2, and L3, reducing gender segregation in the workforce, and developing managers and workers in small enterprises.

ESF funds revenue projects which are principally aimed at combating unemployment, improving the skills of the workforce to improve adaptability, and increasing levels of entrepreneurship and small business growth.

SEEDA's role in ESF

SEEDA is one of the regional Co-financing Organisations (CFOs) for ESF in the South East. As a CFO, SEEDA utilises projects delivered through its "Single Pot" as match funding to draw down ESF funding under the relevant Priority.

How much ESF funding is available?

The South East has been allocated £153 million for the period 2007-2010 and will be delivering the funding under 6 priorities. This funding is managed and administered by DWP/ESFD (with regional support of GOSE) on behalf of the Government. For more information on the national funding, please visit www.esf2008-2011-se.org.uk.

SEEDA will fund projects to reduce the effects of social disadvantage and promote economic inclusion across the South East Region, at sub-regional and/or regional level as follows:

• Priority 1 - SEEDA will use ESF funding under P1 to provide support to extend employment opportunities through enterprise start-up, self-employment and social enterprise. SEEDA ESF Funding is £2.4 million
• Priority 2 - SEEDA will use ESF funding under P2 to provide training at levels 3+ to specific priority sectors in the form of enhanced ‘packages' of support, aligned with specific industry skills needs that bring together mainstream provision with ESF support. SEEDA ESF Funding is approximately £4.4 million.

Particular attention will be paid to key target groups (disadvantaged groups), geographical areas (271 of the lowest Super Output Areas nationally fall within the South East ) and key sectors all of which are highlighted in the South East ESF Framework.

Who can apply for ESF Co-financing funding?

• Any legally constituted organisation (any organisation formed with a legal document such as an agreement or memorandum of association)
• Individuals are not eligible to apply
• Sole traders are not eligible to apply for ESF money.