This document provides information on how the European Social Fund is implemented in Ireland. [1] It lists the various operational programmes through which ESF funding is channeled in Ireland from 2000-2013. [2] It then provides guidance on applying for ESF funding, including identifying the managing authority, studying the guidelines, eligibility criteria, scoring system, and how to structure an application form by addressing objectives, target groups, budgets, and timescales. [3] Key concepts for applications like overall objectives, specific objectives, inputs, activities, outputs, and results are also defined.

1. European Social Fund:
a practical example
Stockholm, 16th June 2012
« Finding our ways »
Stefania Pirani
IF European Projects Coordinator

2. A practical example: ESF in Ireland

3. A practical example: ESF in Ireland
ESF in Ireland is channeled through a variety of different programmes
• Employment and Human Resources Development Operational
Programme,2000-2006
• Border Midland & West Region
• South & East Region
• PEACE Programme II
• EQUAL Community Initiative
• Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013
• Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013
(Revised 2009)
• Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013 (
2012 version)

5. Managing Authority
• Contact the unit and the person
in charge for the ESF/disability actions
• Check for information sessions

6. First step: study the Guidelines
GUIDELINES
+
Q&A

7. 3 key elements
• Objective of the programme
What do they want to achieve throught my
project?
• Target Group
Who do they want to reach?
• Budget and Timescale
How big and for how long?

8. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
• Administrative eligibility criteria
Deadline, applications forms, signatures,
documents attached
• Content of the proposal
Type of activities, geographical impact, type of
eligible costs

9. Scoring
• Selection Criteria
According to what criteria my application will be
evaluated? What’s the weight of each criteria?
• Check List
Documents required

10. CHECKLIST

11. Second step: the application form
APPLICATION FORM

12. How to write the application
1) Organisation details
General information
2) Organisational Structure and Experience
Single applicant, consortium, relevant
exeperience

13. How to write the application
3) Project Details
 overall objective
 specific objective
 Inputs/means
 activities
 results
 outputs
 target group
 final beneficiaries

14. Important concepts
 overall objective
Broader, long-term changes (directly or indirectly; intended or
unintended) in the environment of the project. The project contributes
to the overall objective, but can not achieve it alone.
“to contribute to poverty reduction among vulnerable rural populations
of Laos”
 specific objective
Specific objective addressing the core problem(s) (e.g. improvements in
area of intervention due to the improved capacity of the target group)
“improvement of the living conditions by addressing needs and rights to
access to water, sanitation, health education and first aid in 30 villages in
the Vientiane and Sayabouri Provinces”

15. Important concepts
 Input/Means: resources used
 Activities:the steps undertaken to transform inputs into
outputs, e.g. organization of the training sessions;
 Outputs: Goods and services delivered by the project (e.g. a
training session);
 Results: Benefits derived from the outputs of the project
(e.g. improved capacity of those who attended the training)

16. Important Concepts
target group
It is very specific (50 unemployed young people
with disability). Directly benefiting from the
activities of the project. They are involved.
final beneficiaries
benefiting from the operation in the long term
(impact), they might not be directly involved
(parents of 50 unemployed young people with
disability)

17. The terminology varies among different aid
agencies, donors and implementers which can
create confusion. It is especially important to
keep in mind the difference between Outputs
and Results which are too often mixed up.

18. To be included
Dissemination and communication
Monitoring and evaluation
Sustainability

19. Budget
Human Resources
Salaries (gross salaries including social security
charges and other related costs)
Travel
Justifiable and appropriate rates, costs directly
relate to project activities
Overhead Cost
Cost directly related to the activities eg phone

20. Budget
Equipment
Computer etc
Programme Costs
Hire of rooms for trainings, communicaiton costs
List of Cost/Activities ineligible

21. Thanks
stefania.pirani@ifglobal.org