European Social Fund 2014-2020: Briefing event for the BME sector

European Social Fund 2014-2020:
Briefing event for the BME sector
December 2014
 www.wcva.org.uk  0800 2888 329  help@wcva.org.uk Up-dated June 2013

Learning
outcomes
To understand:
• the key principles and terminology of EU Structural
Funds
• the policy context and key drivers for the European
Structural & Investment Funds (ESIF) 2014-2020
• the draft ESF Programme Priorities
• the support available from WCVA and the third
sector European team (3-SET)

EU Structural Funds: the fundamentals
• What? EU regional development aid
• Who? Granted to all regions within the 28 EU Member
States; two areas within Wales: West Wales & the
Valleys (WW&V) and East Wales
• Why? To raise the economic wealth (GDP) of regions;
with a focus on regions with less than 75% EU average
GDP (‘lesser developed’ regions)
• When? Seven year programme cycles (2000-2006;
2007-2013; 2014-2020)
• How? Managed in Wales by the Welsh European
Funding Office (WEFO), part of the Welsh Government’s
Finance Department
• How much?...

EU Structural Funds in Wales 2014-2020
£1.4bn
£300m
€100 m
Rural Development
Plan (RDP)
£953m

EU Structural & Investment Funds
• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• European Social Fund- (ESF)
• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development
(EAFRD)
• European Maritime and Fisheries funds (EMFF)
There are many other sources of EU funding,
particularly for working with partners in other EU
Member States

Principles of funding
• Operational Programmes (OP) with priorities and themes
for investment = the contract between the Welsh
Government and the European Commission
• A small number of joined up projects, aligned to Welsh
Government policies
• Procurement, not grants – tighter processes and
competition to secure value for money

Key features
• Added value
• Match funding
• Volunteer time as in-kind match funding
• Cross cutting themes: equality of opportunity;
environmental sustainability and tackling poverty
• Partnership Principle
• High levels of bureaucracy
• Rules and regulations and audit
• Rigorous monitoring: outputs, results and impacts

2014-2020 key drivers
• Europe 2020 for smart, sustainable and inclusive
growth
• Tackling poverty and social exclusion: 20% ESF ring-
fenced in WW&V and a new third cross-cutting theme
• Welsh Government agenda: job creation and tackling
poverty
• Operational Programmes and Economic Prioritisation
Framework (EPF)
• Regionalisation

ESF priorities 2014-2020
ESF Priority 1:Tackling poverty through sustainable
employment
• Specific Objective (SO)1: To increase the employability of
those closest to the labour market at most risk of poverty
(WW&V only)
• SO 2: To increase the employability of Economically
Inactive and Long Term Unemployed people aged 25 and
over, who have complex barriers to employment (All
Wales)
• SO 3: To reduce under-employment or absence rates for
employed individuals with work limiting health conditions
and/or other barriers to sustainable engagement with the
labour market (WW&V only)

ESF Priority 2: Skills for Growth
•SO 1: To increase the skill levels, including work
relevant skills, of those in the workforce with low/no skills
(All Wales)
•SO 2: To increase the no. of people in the workforce
with technical and job specific skills at an intermediate
and higher level (All Wales)
•SO 3: To increase the no. of people with graduate
degrees or equivalent undertaking research and
innovation activities with enterprise(WW&V only)
•SO 4: To improve the position of women in the
workforce (All Wales)

ESF Priority 3: Youth Employment Attainment
•SO 1: To reduce the no. of 16-24 year olds who are
NEET(All Wales )
•SO 2: To reduce the no. of those at risk of
becoming NEET, amongst 11-24 year olds (All
Wales )
•SO 3: To increase the take up of and attainment
levels in STEM subjects amongst 11-19 year olds
(WW&V only)
•SO 4: To increase the skills of the Early Years and
Childcare workforce (WW&V only)

How to access European
Structural Funds

Routes of access for EU Structural
Funds
• Direct applications to WEFO (‘lead/joint’ sponsor)
– Read WEFO Guidance for Project Sponsors
• Partnership approach with third party lead body
• Contracting opportunities

• Project sponsor
• Joint sponsor
• Contractor / supplier

The Engagement Gateway
• ESF and Welsh Government funding since 2009
• Procurement, then competitive grants since 2011
• Funding levels: 325k; £50k and £150k
• Over 360 approved suppliers; over 800 projects
• Helping nearly 30,000 people with multiple barriers to employment to
start their journey
• Hundreds of different project activities: tailored, local solutions e.g.
Swansea Bay Regional Equality Council; EYST; Displaced People in
Action;
• Success measured by the progress of participants: ‘first step’
interventions, but with over 10% progressing into work and the rest
achieving a variety of other outcomes
• Dedicated support with managing a European funded project

The Intermediate Labour Market
• Supported employment opportunities: paid work
experience for unemployed and economically inactive
people
• Started delivery in 2009 – has supported 4,180
participants on the projects
• 268 organisations delivered 305 different projects
• 2,151 participants into work to date
• Matched with Future Jobs Fund (2010); DfES and
Communities First (2011) and Jobs Growth Wales (2012)
to offer enhanced opportunities to young people
• Extended in 2013 to work with specific participant groups:
Work Limiting Health Condition, 50+, Lone Parents and
ex-offenders; all over 25

Possible ESF funding opportunities
• WCVA ‘Active Inclusion’
• Swansea YMCA and SOVA
• A strategic foot print for employment & skills
delivery 2014-2020 - Welsh Government
Department for Education & Skills

How can WCVA help?
• Brokerage and collaboration
• Free training/capacity building
• Networks
• Information – events, website, e-bulletins

Further information
•Contact 3SET@wcva.org.uk / 0800 2888 329
• Or local groups can speak to local SET teams:
http://wefo.wales.gov.uk/publications/sets/outreach/?
lang=en
•www.wcva.org.uk/funding/europe
•www.wefo.wales.gov.uk
•www.europa.eu

Race equality and racism in Wales:Race equality and racism in Wales:
An exploratory studyAn exploratory study
Commissioned by RCC written by Professor Heaven Crawley (CMPR)
Swansea University
Presented by Mrs Sam Ali
Trustee Race Council Cymru

• RCC is a national strategic overarching umbrella body established
by ethnic minority communities and former CRE Commissioners
who served the CRE and live in Wales.
• RCC is working towards a racism-free Wales which gives everyone a
fair and equitable chance to live free from fear of racial
prejudice, discrimination, harassment, victimisation, abuse and
violence
• RCC Primary Stakeholders Forum is made up of 33 BAME
Communities from across Wales including North Wales.
• RCC represents ethnic minority communities on the Third
Sector Partnership Council (TSPC) facilitated by WCVA, we
represent the race portfolio on the Welsh Govt’s Joint Ministerial
Forum, Independent Advisory Group on Tackling Hate Crime &
Incidents and the Strategic Equality Board

MethodologyMethodology
o Research design shaped by limited time and resources
o Began in the second week of July 2012 with a review of existing
literature and evidence on the experiences of the BME population of
Wales, design of survey, arrangements for focus groups
o Interviews and focus groups undertaken in Swansea, Cardiff, Llanelli
and Wrexham during July and August
o 34 interviews with representatives of community organisations,
local authorities, individuals from different BME communities
(Jewish, Gypsy and Traveller, Black Caribbean, Polish, Pakistani,
Turkish, Palestinian)
o Six focus groups involving a total of 42 people (Muslim mother and
toddler group, boys and young men group, multi-cultural network)
o Survey undertaken online and through community organisations and
groups (Bangladeshi, Polish, Chinese, Nigerian) n=266

Characteristics of the survey respondentsCharacteristics of the survey respondents
o Approximately two thirds (62.5%) female, one third male (37.5%)
o 26% Black African (mainly Nigerian), 22.5% White (mainly Polish), 9%
Chinese, 6-7% Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani, 5.7% Mixed and 3%
Black Caribbean
o Just over half (53%) describe themselves as Christian, just under 20%
Muslim, remainder a mixture of no religion (14%) or other religions
Two thirds (66.5%) consider themselves able to speak English very
well, 18% well, 16.5% not very well
o The vast majority of respondents live in urban areas (91%), mostly
Swansea (43%), Cardiff (27%) and Llanelli (18%)
o Respondents have been living in Wales for anything between 0-1 years
(10%) and all their lives (15%)
o Wide range of educational and employment backgrounds although far
more professional than manual workers

I applied for a job but it was offered to a person with little
experience who I had supervised as a student. What a joke. I
couldn't believe it and I left my previous employment. I feel
very emotional about the experience because I feel I was
judged on the basis of my skin colour not ability
If you have a foreign name you don't get shortlisted
My friend tried for a job. They ask are you Black. He says yes
and they say we don't have a job for a Black
My husband was told that he was unlikely to get any
employment because people would not employ a Traveller
It is very hard to say something has happened because of your
race but I do feel overlooked for promotion and development
opportunities. I conclude this is because I am different and
race /culture/upbringing creates some of that difference

Racism and discriminationRacism and discrimination
o Racism is defined in the research as “discriminatory or abusive
behaviour towards members of another race”
o More than two thirds (69%) of respondents think there is racism in
Wales today
o 43% of White and Chinese respondents think there is racism in Wales
today compared with 94% of Pakistani, 85% of Bangladeshi and 74%
of Black African respondents
o Responses strongly correlated with personal experiences of racism
o 20% and 25% of White and Chinese respondents have personally
experienced racism in Wales within the past 5 years compared with
73% of Pakistani, 70% of Bangladeshi and 60% of Black African
respondents
o Nearly 47% of respondents have personally experienced racism in
Wales in the last 5 years together with 42% of family members

o Most examples are of verbal abuse and intimidation, especially by
groups of youths, spitting, throwing objects (eggs, food, stones), overt
and covert incidents at work (including the police service) and school
o Racist incidents take place in the street and other public places
(including people driving past in cars), in shops, on public transport, in
the neighbourhood and occasionally at places of worship
o Racist behaviours and attitudes by stop staff and security guards were
highlighted by members of the Gypsy and Traveller community
o A small proportion (10%) reported problems with their neighbours and
community, most commonly when living in areas of poverty and
deprivation
o More than half (56%) of the survey respondents said they were worried
about being insulted or pestered because of their race / ethnicity
o Just over a third (34%) are worried about being physically abused

I was accosted on the street and [they] shouted racist abusive
words at on the anniversary of the July bombings in London. I
have been squirted with milkshake on the way. Monkey noises
have been made at me
One time I had a liquid thrown on me. It was water but I didn’t
know what it was
I was chased down the street and called a ‘Black nigger’ and
told to return to my country. All I am is a young black man and I
never did anything wrong
The girls are reporting more and more Islamaphobia…scarf
pulling, being called a terrorist
If you go into a shop, any shop, people treat you differently.
You are treated like a thief. They security guards follow you
about, they don’t even try to hide it
It's part of British society. It happens all the time

o There is evidence that racism in Wales is significantly under reported
o Less than 1 in 5 (18%) had reported their experiences of racism to the
police
o Reasons for under reporting include language barriers, a lack of clarity
around the reporting of racist crimes and incidents, fear that reporting
may cause the situation to escalate and a lack of trust in the police
(including as a result of stop and search)
o Two thirds (69%) of those who reported experiences to the police were
not happy with the way in which their complaint had been handled
o Focus groups and interviews suggest that most people from BAME
communities accept racism as a part of everyday life and modify their
behaviour (what they wear, where they go) to deal with it
o People rely on their communities to support them in the context of
racism and can feel isolated and excluded
Challenging racism and discriminationChallenging racism and discrimination

In their home country people wouldn’t normally report these
matters to the police
The police said they had an idea who the woman was and that
next time I see her, I should cross over to the other side. I did
not think that was an appropriate way to deal with the
situation. They should have arrested her
If a car drives past and someone shouts racist abuse nothing
happens. People then get frustrated
Three times I had water and a cheeseburger thrown at me.
Straightaway I went to the police. The police woman said
‘maybe you looked hungry’/ What’s the point to report?
You get used to it and it becomes the norm. You get a thick
skin

Conclusions and implicationsConclusions and implications
o Despite limitations of time and resources, the research provides
important new evidence about the experiences of BAME communities
living in Wales
o It is clear that race relations in Wales have improved in the past fifty
years but there are significant challenges which remain
o There are significant regional and local differences reflecting both
the historical context and contemporary migration patterns and
trends
o Racism is a significant issue affecting the lives of people from BAME
backgrounds living in Wales
o There is evidence that racism is not being challenged or tackled
o Reporting of racist incidents and hate crimes to the police continues
to be a major problem – especially as police stop and search policy is
sometimes applied unfairly, young people are left feeling targeted
o Key priorities are in relation to ‘everyday racism’, employment and
the reporting of racist incidents to the police

European Social Fund 2014-2020: Briefing event for the BME sector

Introduction
• About the
Evaluators
• ESF Programme
• Project Aims &
Objectives
• Project Targets
• About the
Delivery Partners
• Intervention
Logic
• The Project
Results
• The Ingredients
for Success
• Conclusion

About the Evaluators
• Vibe Experience Ltd. is a non-profit, voluntary
organisation working with young people aged
11-25 in Wales.
• Our organisation has been delivering creative
multimedia youth projects, engagement
activities, and has conducted research,
consultations and evaluations with young
people for 13 years.
• Vibe Experience Ltd. tendered for the
Evaluation of the Raising Skills and Aspirations
of Young BME People PII in December 2012.
The application was accepted by the
Swansea YMCA and the evaluation
commenced in January 2013.
VIBE EXPERIENCE LTD

ESF Programme
RSA II Project
• Time Span 01.09.11- 31.08.13
• Lead Sponsor: Swansea YMCA
• Joint Sponsors:
• North Wales Regional Equality
Network
• Valleys Regional Equality
Council
• YMCA Wales
• Minorities Ethnic Women’s
Network
• Total Project Cost: £1.4m
ESF Programme
• West Wales and the
Valleys
Convergence
Operational
Programme 2007-13
• Priority 1
• Raising Skills and
Aspirations of
Young People

RSA II Project Aims &
Objectives
• To mentor, signpost and
support 1,000 young
people from Black and
Minority Ethnic (BME) and
European Economic
Migrant (EEM) family
backgrounds.
• To raise their aspirations
through after school
activities and other
confidence building
measures to ensure a
prepared and skilled
progression into the labour
market.

RSA II Project Targets
• 1000 participants in the 11-19 age group by
the end of year 2, of whom 300 will be NEET
participants.
• 50 will enter employment.
• 700 participants will gain other positive
outcomes.
• 48 employers collaborating with
education/training providers by the end of
year.
• 200 participants entering further learning.

About the Delivery Partners:
Voluntary Sector
• Swansea YMCA: Lead Sponsor:- Proficient in project
management and working with vulnerable young people.
• North Wales Regional Equality Network:- Proven track
record in the delivery of services to BME communities in
the North Wales Region.
• Minority Ethnic Women’s Network:- Specialising in
providing gender based support and services to BME
women.
• YMCA Wales:- Strong links to national youth initiatives,
environmental projects and operational capacity for
residential outdoor pursuits.
• Valleys Regional Equality Council:- Proven track record in
the delivery of services to BME communities in the Valleys

Project Intervention Logic
• Referral
• School Engagement
• Individual Action Plan
• Confidence building
• Communication skills
• Mentoring/Coaching
• Informal/Formal
Learning
• CV Writing
• Mock Interviews
• Volunteering
• Work placements
• Job search
• Supported into
Employment/Education

The Project Results
Participants 1054 1000
Exit Outcomes
Entering Employment 41 50
Entering Further Learning 169 200
Other Positive Outcomes
Participants with Other Positive
outcomes
822 700
Attended Job Interviews 36
Entering Further learning 256
Volunteering Work/
Work Experience
132
Part Completion of NFQ Course 9
Completed non-accredited

Project Specific
Signposting
731 /
2227
500 /
Employer visits 331 / 765 50 /
Mentoring
1045 /
6585
1000 /
After School Clubs
606 /
4659
300 /
Confidence building
889 /
6709
1000 /
CV writing / Applications 207 / 303 600 /

NEET 50 50
The Project Results

10 Ingredients to BME
engagement
In Education, Employment, Training & Skills
1. Practitioners are supported to have time and space
to form transformational relationships with BME
young people.
2. Involving Equality organisations as joint sponsors was
instrumental in the delivery of this project to BME
young people.
3. Involving Practitioners who personally believe in the
aims and objectives of the project.
4. The ability, skill and freedom for practitioners to
engage with BME families and elders in their home
or community venue.
5. Involving practitioners with personal experiences of
discrimination and an immigration background.

10 Ingredients to BME engagement
continued..
6. Involving practitioners from a similar culture
possessing similar community languages.
7. Accessible and flexible project times and venues,
open as necessary on evenings and weekends.
8. The ability to deploy group-work methods, bespoke
courses around non-traditional careers and
education awareness whilst still conforming to
cultural and religious sensitivities.
9. Ability to deploy mentoring, confidence building
and empowering activities in the community.
10. The ability of practitioners to join up with other ESF
projects and employers. Increase exposure to
Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)
or the Creative Industries sectors.
In Education, Employment, Training & Skills

Conclusion
• This project success was a result of a
determined approach to partnership
working despite many adversities.
• The Evaluation Main recommendations will
be discussed in the workshop.

Thank You For Your Kind
AttentionYoutube link: WEFO2 How has the project helped
you

P2
Evaluation
Interim Findings

North Wales
-Sova: Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and
Gwynedd
South Wales
-Swansea YMCA: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and
some of Carmarthenshire
-YMCA Wales (Newgale): Carmarthenshire,
Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire
-MEWN: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and
Carmarthenshire
P2: Unemployed Adults from BME Groups

- Project history
- Time (geography)
- Time (individual needs)
- Language (Welsh and English)
- Resources
Key Challenges

- Power of word of mouth
- Importance of partnerships
- Identifying recruitment sites
Key Lessons Learnt

- Jobs, jobs, jobs
- Self-respect
- Social inclusion
Key Achievements

Questions?
Keith Burge
kburge@ers.org.uk
07740 879070
www.ers.org.uk

Minorities are Wales’ Resources
Final Evaluation
Dr Alun Hughes, Director
20 Degrees Consulting Ltd
58

Evaluation Objectives
• Profile participants
• Consider outcomes
• Consider processes
• Recommendations for the future

Key Findings
• 91% of 1,452 participants characterised
themselves as being from BME
backgrounds
• Most output targets met or exceeded
• Given the project history, the consortium
partners demonstrated commitment and
resilience

Outcomes
• 77% perceived their employment had been
maintained through access to the project
• 18% had job interviews resulting from
mentoring and support
• Stories of individuals provided greatest
insights

What made the difference?
• Trust and the holistic approach
• Balancing work and compliance
• English language and social capital
• Short qualifications
• Longer qualifications

Key lessons - Generic
• Sponsors need to stress test
themselves and their partners
• All project sponsors need to play an
active part in project design
- honesty about skills and capacity
- geography, costs and ownership
- common understanding of aims
- clear guidelines

Key lessons - Specific
• Importance of ‘grassroots’ sponsors
and a central coordinating sponsor
• Importance of English language
components and mentoring
• Level 2 ‘threshold’ training
• Level 3+ vocational training

Dr Alun Hughes
alun.hughes@20degrees.co.uk
01443 866278

European Social Fund 2014-2020: Briefing event for the BME sector

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European Social Fund 2014-2020: Briefing event for the BME sector