Download to read offline
European Structural and Investment Funds: Community Grants
The document provides an overview of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) including the European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund. It discusses the funds' role in reducing economic and social disparities across the EU. It also outlines the size and trends in ESIF funding, including major reductions in public spending. Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) play a key role in developing local investment strategies and projects to deliver against those strategies. Community grants of up to £12,000 are available to small voluntary organizations through ESIF to support disadvantaged people in moving closer to the labor market.
More Related Content
Similar to European Structural and Investment Funds: Community Grants
More from NCVO - National Council for Voluntary Organisations
European Structural and Investment Funds: Community Grants
- 1. European Structural and InvestmentFunds : Community Grants Ingrid Gardiner EU Manager Ingrid.gardiner@ncvo-vol.org.uk
- 2. What NCVO does Training& Capacity Building on key areas: • Governance & Leadership • Sustainable Funding • Campaigning, Collaboration & ICT • Workforce Development • Helpdesk • Pilots, knowledge sharing and new ways of working • Co-ordinates the European Funding Network
- 3.
- 4. European Structural and InvestmentFunds Introduction to the European Structural and Investment Funds •The Structural and Cohesion Funds are the European Union’s main funding programmes for reducing social and economic disparities across the EU. In England, these funds comprise the: •European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) which supports research, innovation, business development and infrastructure investment •European Social Fund (ESF) which supports training, enhancing access to employment and social inclusion. •It will also include part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), and will be aligned with the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). This funding should begin to come on stream in mid-2014.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
- 8.
- 9. Funding & Finance •Major reductions in public spending (20%) still coming through • Shift from grants to contracts • EU funds 2014-2020 • Move towards social investment, eg. bonds and loans • Need to find ways to link public sector funds with foundations and corporate partners
- 10. European Structural and InvestmentFunds 2007-2013 Programme DWP’s European Social Fund Division (ESFD) is the Managing Authority of the ESF Programme in England and funding is ‘matched’ with UK Government funding. You can also access ESF through one of the Co-financing organisations, including NOMS, and Skills Funding Agency, Department for Work and Pensions More information on the European Social Fund in England is available at www.dwp.gov.uk/esf. For information on ESF and civil society, please go to our dedicated European Funding Network website. Above opportunities tendered through PQQ and ITT
- 11.
- 12.
- 13. European Structural and InvestmentFunds • To re-cap, LEPs are responsible for: • coming up with an investment strategy for spending their allocation • finding projects to deliver that strategy, using a mixture of commissioning, bidding and co-financing as best meets local need • finding match funding for those projects • ensuring those projects deliver their targets • making sure their allocations are spent on time • monitoring how well they are delivering against their strategies and the programme priorities
- 14. •Routes into theProgramme •Write Initial Application •Assess Strategic Fit •Instruction to Invest •Selection into the Programme •Develop Full Application •Confirm strategic fit •Funding Agreemen t •Investment Plan •Opt-In •Negotiated procedure with Opt-In organisations •Open Call Seeks ideas to deliver against strategy •LEP Defined Activity •Commissioned investments / direct bids etc. •Local Enterprise Partnership •Facilitation to complete full Application Form •Technica l Appraisal •Funding Agreemen t •Project Delivery •Proje ct Close •Contract Management& Monitoring •Applicant •Managing Authority •Closu re •European Structural Investment Fund 2014-20 •High Level Business Process •Reporting – All data on IT system – Reports drawn off as required •Annex to Paper to the Growth Programme Board •Monitor Performance against Strategy •Project Implementation
- 15. Local focus new opportunities? •Opt in (e.g. Big Lottery Fund) to complement Growth Programme and social inclusion • Community Led Local Development • Community Grants • Volunteer time • Social innovation • Social investment • Technical assistance
- 16. Civil Society Active Phase2 • Completion of Action Plan • Consultation with the European Funding Network and civil society partners • Tendering for LEP engagement activity – project awarded to Regional Voices (One East Midlands is the accountable body) • LEP engagement events • Support tools • Blogs and updates on website • Contribution to LEP events • One to one surgeries
- 17. Role of Partnersand EFN • Following tight timescales investment strategies – sent 7 October • Information sharing • Europeanfundingnetwork.eu • One to one surgeries with LEPs • Wider information events before holidays– 10th , 11th and 12th of December
- 18. Civil Society andLEPs • Engagement with all stakeholders • Building meaningful strategic relationships • Help deliver social inclusion (20%!) • That is not the only offer – civil society sector comes in many different forms – CICs, social enterprises, mutuals and trade unions
- 19. Community Grants -ESF • ESF community grants are grants of up to £12,000 which enable small VCS organisations to work with most disadvantaged and excluded people. • The grants have a local focus and seek to move people closer to the labour market. They support a wide range of activities including: • initial help with basic skills • taster work experience, including voluntary work • training, advice and counselling • confidence building.
- 20. Community Grants -ESF • People with disabilities or health conditions (inc. those with learning difficulties, mental health issues or drug and alcohol dependency problems) • People aged 50 or over and seeking employment • People from ethnic minorities • Women • Lone parents • Case Studies
- 21. 2007-2013 Programme Community Grantsthrough Grant Co-ordinating Bodies CFO Region/ area Community Grant Body Skills Funding Agency Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly Cornwall Development Company Ltd Skills Funding Agency East Midlands Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Voluntary and Community Sector Lea Skills Funding Agency East of England The Consultancy Home Counties Limited London Councils London London Councils Skills Funding Agency North East County Durham Community Federation Skills Funding Agency North West WEA: Learning For Life Skills Funding Agency South East Surrey Community Action Skills Funding Agency South West The Learning Curve (Voluntary Sector Development ) Skills Funding Agency West Midlands Black Country Consortium Limited Skills Funding Agency West Midlands Heart of England Community Foundation Skills Funding Agency Yorkshire & The Humber Humber Learning Consortium
- 22. Why should LEPsconsider Community Grants? • Flexible programme that encourages innovative practices to support a wide range of employment focused activity • Targets those furthest away from the labour market • High volume of soft outcomes • Builds organisational capacity • Contributes to LEP priorities and social inclusion targets (20%)
- 23. Local focus new opportunities? •What is CLLD? • Modelled on previous Leader approaches (RDPE) • An optional tool for territorial development • Focussed on sub-regional areas (10-150,000 population) • Driven by local communities • Multi-sectoral (public, private and civil society) • Integrated approach single or multi-fund options possible e.g. ESF + ERDF; Leader + ESF + ERDF; EMFF + ESF etc.
- 24. Tasks of LAGs •Local Action Groups (LAGs) select accountable body • Build capacity • Draw up selection criteria • Call for proposals • Selection • Monitoring and evaluation
- 25. Timetable Domestic timetable Spring 2013– Guidance to LEPs on EU Investment Strategies issued; UK Partnership Agreement out to formal consultation July 2013 – Final Guidance issued to LEPs October 2013 – Investment Strategies to BIS – final strategies to be submitted by the end of January 2014 October – November – feedback to LEPs Partnership Agreement – end of December Operational Programme – March 2014
- 26. Questions? Thank you andremember that this is an opportunity for you… http://www.europeanfundingnetwork.eu Thank you!
- 27. Useful Resources To helpthink through how Community Grants might be used the following links may be useful: DWP - ESF Community Grants http://www.dwp.gov.uk/esf/funding-opportunities/community-grants/ SFA - ESF Community Grants (scroll down the page) http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/programmes/esf/ European Funding Network http://europeanfundingnetwork.eu/news/Community-grants-2014-2015 Community Grants Presentation from LEP Engagement event http://europeanfundingnetwork.eu/events/engaging-with-your-leps Future of Lifelong Learning Programme https://www.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk/
Editor's Notes
- #6 160,000 voluntary organisations £38.3 billion: voluntary sector income 732,000: voluntary sector employees The majority of the UK’s voluntary organisations are very small: just under 84,000 (52% of the ‘population’) have an annual income of less than £10,000, and we have categorised these as micro. Many are small: a further 52,000 (32%) have an income of less than £100,000. However, these small and micro organisations account for 5.4% of the sector’s total income, are unlikely to employ paid staff, and rely more on donations from individuals than larger organisations. Often focus on the largest organisations in policy talks, but smaller organisations make up the majority of the sector. Issues that affect organisations are different.
- #8 A unifying concern is funding environment – before I come on to talk about policy issues, important to understand where the sector currently gets its money from…
- #11 This page gives an overview of the following funding streams mostly used by civil society organisations Structural Funds - focusing on the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund Partnership and transnational work Financial instruments and Social business European Structural Funds 2007-2013 Generally, the biggest amount of money that comes into England form the EU is via the EU Structural Funds. The Structural and Cohesion Funds are the EU’s main instruments for supporting social and economic restructuring across EU member states. They account for over one third of the European Union budget and are used to tackle regional disparities and support regional development through actions including developing infrastructure and telecommunications, developing human resources and supporting research and development. To see how much money goes into your region see our financial allocationpages on the EFN website. European Social Fund (ESF) ESF is the EU’s main fund designed to help people into work and to invest skills and training of those furthest from the labour market. DWP’s European Social Fund Division (ESFD) is the Managing Authority of the ESF Programme in England and funding is ‘matched’ with UK Government funding. You can also access ESF through one of the Co-financing organisations, including NOMS, and Skills Funding Agency. More information on the European Social Fund in England is available at www.dwp.gov.uk/esf. For information on ESF and civil society, please go to our dedicated European Funding Network website. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) ERDF is focused on reducing economic disparities within and between member states by supporting economic regeneration and safeguarding jobs. The Managing Authority of the fund in England is the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). For information on the programme visit the DCLG website. We are in the last 2 years of the Structural funds programme. Negotiations on the 2014-2020 programme are already taking place. If you would like more information on the latest developments, please go to our European Funding Network website. Partnership and transnational These European Community programme are awarded to implement projects or activities in relation to EU policies within fields as diverse as research, education, health, consumer protection, protection of the environment etc. Amongst these opportunities are programmes such as Europe for Citizens This programme is designed to bring Europe closer to its citizens, promote active EU citizenship, and mutual understanding between citizens in different countries. Funding opportunities are listed on the European Commission website. PROGRESS PROGRESS is an integrated programme for employment and social solidarity to support the EU’s approach to employment and social affairs. Current call for proposals can be found on the PROGRESS website. DAPHNE DAPHNE is aimed at protecting vulnerable citizens from violence and protecting children’s rights. If your organisation is interested in applying for DAPHNE funding, view their on-line toolkit with resources including an archive of successful projects. Lifelong learning and vocational training Funding for UK individuals to visit other European countries for training courses, job shadowing, work placements, and develop partnership with organisations in Europe. Examples of Programmes:- Grundtvig (adult education) and Leonardo (vocational education and training). Youth in Action Youth in action is a programme that aims to inspire a sense of active European citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans and to involve them in shaping the Union's future. The national agency responsible for Youth in Action in the UK is the British Council. Find out more on the British Council website. Culture Programme This programme funds projects that encourage intercultural dialogue, promote cross-border mobility of those working in the sector and and enhance cultural output and is available for not for profit organisations. Details of opportunities are available on the UK’s Cultural Contact Point website. Environment Life + supports environmental and nature conservation projects. Priorities include biodiversity, environment policy and information and communication. Research and Innovation The two main funding sources of the EU’s research and innovation programme, are the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP). There are also opportunities to fund research and innovation through the Structural Funds. Sport Since the Lisbon Treaty gave the EU a competence on sport, there has been a focus on creating an EU programme for sport. Among the priorities will be encouraging volunteering in sport, and promoting social inclusion. Find out more on the European Commission’s sport section. Match funding EU funds only cover a part of a projects’ costs so the rest of the funds need to be secured by 'matching it'' through EU public or private funding. Match funding is usually the responsibility of the applicant and all match funding will need to be evidenced. State Aid Any money given out by public bodies may constitute state aid. It is therefore important to be aware that there are strict rules designed to ensure EU competition and free trade rules are not breached. For more information on this, visit our State Aid Pages on the EFN website. Financial instruments There is funding available in the forms of European Investment Bank loans, guarantees and investment to support SME’s (JEREMIE) and for sustainable urban development (JESSICA). The Commission’s new Social Business Initiative will help start up schemes to access EU funding from 2014 onwards. The 90million Euros fund has been created to stimulate an EU wide Social Investment market. For more information see NCVO policy pages on Social Business. CFOs contract with the providers that deliver ESF projects on the ground. Providers can be from the private, public or voluntary sectors. CFOs make ESF available through a process of open and competitive tendering. Successful providers do not have to find their own 'match funding', as CFOs are responsible for both the ESF money and match funding. Details of any current, recent or planned CFO tendering rounds are provided below. Department for Work and Pensions National Offender Management Service Skills Funding Agency Central Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire Borough Council East Midlands Local Authority Consortium London Councils Greater London Authority Luton Borough Council Details of previous tendering rounds under the first half of the programme (2007 – 2010) can be viewed via the National Archives website. Projects funded so far under the 2007-2013 ESF programme are available on this website. Department for Work and Pensions There are no funding opportunities at the present time. Information on current DWP ESF programmes can be found on the following websites: ESF Support for Families with Multiple Problems - DWP Day one support young people - DWP. In line with Cabinet Office guidance, details of all live public sector opportunities to tender and contract information are published on Contracts Finder on the GOV.UK website. The published information relates to contracts with a value of £10,000 and above. National Offender Management Service (NOMS) There are no funding opportunities at the present time. NOMS – European Social Fund (Ministry of Justice website) Please email cfo-social enterprise@noms.gsi.gov.uk with any queries. Skills Funding Agency There are no funding opportunities at the present time. Skills Funding Agency – ESF Central Bedfordshire Council There are no funding opportunities at the present time. Website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/esf East Midlands Local Authority Consortium There are no funding opportunities at the present time. Lincolnshire County Council website London Councils Borough co-financing programme 2013-15 Seven tender specifications have been designed in partnership with the boroughs of Brent, Enfield, Hackney, Havering, Islington, Redbridge and Sutton. Working with the European Socal Fund these boroughs have created a £1.3 million programme to support people into employment through local projects. Project delivery is expected to commence in July 2013 and finish in June 2015 The deadline for applications is 12 noon on 24 May 2013. Full details and how to apply: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/grants/esf/ Greater London Authority (GLA) Programme name: Day One Support for Young People (see Department for Work and Pensions above) Luton Borough Council All ESF tendering for Luton Borough Council has now been completed. The Council had previously carried out five procurement rounds and a total of ten ESF co-financed projects are currently being delivered. Luton Borough Council ESF co-financed projects (61KB)
- #13 An “EU Growth Programme” to be financed by ERDF and ESF with a contribution from EAFRD A single “EU Growth Programme Board” incorporating a joint Programme Managing Committee for ESF and ERDF LEPs to be the fundamental building blocks receiving a 7 year notional allocation subject to periodic performance reviews LEPs to identify their preferred EU investment prospectus as part of their wider growth strategy, for agreement by the Growth Board. LEPs will not take on project delivery accountabilities, however but retain a strategic oversight role in cooperation with local partners. Government departmental teams to work as “CSF Area Growth Teams” to support LEPs in their strategic role. All final funding decisions to be dependant upon due diligence by fund Managing Authorities. National co-financing initiatives to take account of local needs ‘ITIs’ may be an option in a limited number of places - where this arrangement will deliver better value, higher impact results. innovation, research and technological development support for small businesses the low carbon economy skills employment social inclusion
- #16 ST
- #17 ST
- #18 ST LAGS select accountable body from structure or create a Legally constituted common structure Build the capacity of local actors to develop and implement operations Drawing up selection procedures Making calls for proposals Selection of proposals Monitoring and evaluation
- #19 The role of civil society with LEPs engagement with all stakeholders, including social partners, must form an integral part of the prioritisation and investment of EU funding. Building meaningful strategic relationships with Civil Society organisations adds significant value to the strategic analysis, planning and effective delivery of EU funding within the LEP area. We would like to take this opportunity to outline the support available through Civil Society in delivering this new and exciting element of LEP strategic development. The VCS is capable of providing a vital multi-level support and delivery function to LEPs from both a cross sector and partnership delivery perspective as well as in relation to specific thematic Partnership Groups that will be required as part of their strategic development and delivery role. In relation to engagement with economic development and structures both the European Commission and the UK government refer to the VCS as forming part of ‘Civil Society’; encapsulating what we might consider previously as the ‘third sector’ and including co-operatives, CICs / social enterprises, mutuals and trade unions.
- #20 ST
- #21 ST
- #22 This page gives an overview of the following funding streams mostly used by civil society organisations Structural Funds - focusing on the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund Partnership and transnational work Financial instruments and Social business European Structural Funds 2007-2013 Generally, the biggest amount of money that comes into England form the EU is via the EU Structural Funds. The Structural and Cohesion Funds are the EU’s main instruments for supporting social and economic restructuring across EU member states. They account for over one third of the European Union budget and are used to tackle regional disparities and support regional development through actions including developing infrastructure and telecommunications, developing human resources and supporting research and development. To see how much money goes into your region see our financial allocationpages on the EFN website. European Social Fund (ESF) ESF is the EU’s main fund designed to help people into work and to invest skills and training of those furthest from the labour market. DWP’s European Social Fund Division (ESFD) is the Managing Authority of the ESF Programme in England and funding is ‘matched’ with UK Government funding. You can also access ESF through one of the Co-financing organisations, including NOMS, and Skills Funding Agency. More information on the European Social Fund in England is available at www.dwp.gov.uk/esf. For information on ESF and civil society, please go to our dedicated European Funding Network website. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) ERDF is focused on reducing economic disparities within and between member states by supporting economic regeneration and safeguarding jobs. The Managing Authority of the fund in England is the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). For information on the programme visit the DCLG website. We are in the last 2 years of the Structural funds programme. Negotiations on the 2014-2020 programme are already taking place. If you would like more information on the latest developments, please go to our European Funding Network website. Partnership and transnational These European Community programme are awarded to implement projects or activities in relation to EU policies within fields as diverse as research, education, health, consumer protection, protection of the environment etc. Amongst these opportunities are programmes such as Europe for Citizens This programme is designed to bring Europe closer to its citizens, promote active EU citizenship, and mutual understanding between citizens in different countries. Funding opportunities are listed on the European Commission website. PROGRESS PROGRESS is an integrated programme for employment and social solidarity to support the EU’s approach to employment and social affairs. Current call for proposals can be found on the PROGRESS website. DAPHNE DAPHNE is aimed at protecting vulnerable citizens from violence and protecting children’s rights. If your organisation is interested in applying for DAPHNE funding, view their on-line toolkit with resources including an archive of successful projects. Lifelong learning and vocational training Funding for UK individuals to visit other European countries for training courses, job shadowing, work placements, and develop partnership with organisations in Europe. Examples of Programmes:- Grundtvig (adult education) and Leonardo (vocational education and training). Youth in Action Youth in action is a programme that aims to inspire a sense of active European citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans and to involve them in shaping the Union's future. The national agency responsible for Youth in Action in the UK is the British Council. Find out more on the British Council website. Culture Programme This programme funds projects that encourage intercultural dialogue, promote cross-border mobility of those working in the sector and and enhance cultural output and is available for not for profit organisations. Details of opportunities are available on the UK’s Cultural Contact Point website. Environment Life + supports environmental and nature conservation projects. Priorities include biodiversity, environment policy and information and communication. Research and Innovation The two main funding sources of the EU’s research and innovation programme, are the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP). There are also opportunities to fund research and innovation through the Structural Funds. Sport Since the Lisbon Treaty gave the EU a competence on sport, there has been a focus on creating an EU programme for sport. Among the priorities will be encouraging volunteering in sport, and promoting social inclusion. Find out more on the European Commission’s sport section. Match funding EU funds only cover a part of a projects’ costs so the rest of the funds need to be secured by 'matching it'' through EU public or private funding. Match funding is usually the responsibility of the applicant and all match funding will need to be evidenced. State Aid Any money given out by public bodies may constitute state aid. It is therefore important to be aware that there are strict rules designed to ensure EU competition and free trade rules are not breached. For more information on this, visit our State Aid Pages on the EFN website. Financial instruments There is funding available in the forms of European Investment Bank loans, guarantees and investment to support SME’s (JEREMIE) and for sustainable urban development (JESSICA). The Commission’s new Social Business Initiative will help start up schemes to access EU funding from 2014 onwards. The 90million Euros fund has been created to stimulate an EU wide Social Investment market. For more information see NCVO policy pages on Social Business. CFOs contract with the providers that deliver ESF projects on the ground. Providers can be from the private, public or voluntary sectors. CFOs make ESF available through a process of open and competitive tendering. Successful providers do not have to find their own 'match funding', as CFOs are responsible for both the ESF money and match funding. Details of any current, recent or planned CFO tendering rounds are provided below. Department for Work and Pensions National Offender Management Service Skills Funding Agency Central Bedfordshire and Bedfordshire Borough Council East Midlands Local Authority Consortium London Councils Greater London Authority Luton Borough Council Details of previous tendering rounds under the first half of the programme (2007 – 2010) can be viewed via the National Archives website. Projects funded so far under the 2007-2013 ESF programme are available on this website. Department for Work and Pensions There are no funding opportunities at the present time. Information on current DWP ESF programmes can be found on the following websites: ESF Support for Families with Multiple Problems - DWP Day one support young people - DWP. In line with Cabinet Office guidance, details of all live public sector opportunities to tender and contract information are published on Contracts Finder on the GOV.UK website. The published information relates to contracts with a value of £10,000 and above. National Offender Management Service (NOMS) There are no funding opportunities at the present time. NOMS – European Social Fund (Ministry of Justice website) Please email cfo-social enterprise@noms.gsi.gov.uk with any queries. Skills Funding Agency There are no funding opportunities at the present time. Skills Funding Agency – ESF Central Bedfordshire Council There are no funding opportunities at the present time. Website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/esf East Midlands Local Authority Consortium There are no funding opportunities at the present time. Lincolnshire County Council website London Councils Borough co-financing programme 2013-15 Seven tender specifications have been designed in partnership with the boroughs of Brent, Enfield, Hackney, Havering, Islington, Redbridge and Sutton. Working with the European Socal Fund these boroughs have created a £1.3 million programme to support people into employment through local projects. Project delivery is expected to commence in July 2013 and finish in June 2015 The deadline for applications is 12 noon on 24 May 2013. Full details and how to apply: http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/grants/esf/ Greater London Authority (GLA) Programme name: Day One Support for Young People (see Department for Work and Pensions above) Luton Borough Council All ESF tendering for Luton Borough Council has now been completed. The Council had previously carried out five procurement rounds and a total of ten ESF co-financed projects are currently being delivered. Luton Borough Council ESF co-financed projects (61KB)
- #23 ST LAGS select accountable body from structure or create a Legally constituted common structure Build the capacity of local actors to develop and implement operations Drawing up selection procedures Making calls for proposals Selection of proposals Monitoring and evaluation
- #24 ST
- #25 ST LAGS select accountable body from structure or create a Legally constituted common structure Build the capacity of local actors to develop and implement operations Drawing up selection procedures Making calls for proposals Selection of proposals Monitoring and evaluation
- #28 ST