Updated: Added ESF 2007 to 2013: gender equality and equal opportunities mainstreaming progress report.
For funding from 2014 to 2020, apply for European Structural and Investment Funds.
The Commission is running an Open Public Consultation as part of the 2007 to 2013 ESF ex-post evaluation. It is open for contributions until 27 April 2016. All citizens and organisations are welcome to contribute to this consultation. While the questionnaire is in English, respondents are free to respond in their language.
ESF funding opportunities
ESF Community Grants provide grants of up to £15,000 to small third sector organisations. These grants support a range of activities that help individuals in the hardest to reach communities to make progress towards or enter the labour market.
Community Grants are managed by the Skills Funding Agency (except in London) and administered by a series of grant co-ordinating bodies on a regional basis, which:
publicise the availability of grants
manage application and selection processes
provide support to successful applicants
Read more about the Community Grants.
In London Community Grants are managed by London Councils.
About the European Social Fund
The European Social Fund was set up to:
improve employment opportunities in the European Union and help raise standards of living
help people to get better skills and better job prospects
help equip the workforce with the skills needed by business in a competitive global economy
Read more about ESF at the European level on the European Commission ESF website.
ESF in England
The 2007 to 2013 England ESF programme is investing a total £2.5 billion of European funding in jobs and skills. Priority groups for support include:
young people not in education, employment or training
families with multiple problems
offenders
people with low skill levels
By the end of May 2015 there had been over 5.59 million participant starts on the programme and over:
521,000 unemployed or inactive participants have been helped into jobs
262,000 participants have gained basic skills
682,000 participants have gained qualifications at level 2 or above
533,000 disadvantaged young people have been helped to enter employment, education or training
Some projects funded under the 2007 to 2013 England ESF programme will run up to mid 2015.
Read more about the objectives and funding allocations for ESF in England.
ESF in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Read about ESF programmes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Managing the ESF
ESF Managing Authority
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ESF Division is the ESF Managing Authority for England and Gibraltar. It has overall responsibility for administering and managing ESF and liaising with the European Commission.
The government of Gibraltar EU Programmes Secretariat manages the ESF programme in Gibraltar. It liaises with the DWP ESF Division in England and the European Commission.
Co-financing organisations
ESF funds are distributed to ESF projects through co-financing organisations (CFOs). The 3 national CFOs are:
Department for Work and Pensions (support for families with multiple problems)
National Offender Management Service
Skills Funding Agency
Co-financing organisations:
manage ESF and match funding (domestic public funding)
contract other organisations (known as providers) to manage ESF projects
ensure that ESF funded projects complement national schemes like the Work Programme
The 2007 to 2013 programme also involved several regional CFOs.
Contact us
European Social Fund Division
Level 2 West
Rockingham House
123 West Street
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S1 4ER
Email
esf.feedback@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
The ESF programme for 2007 to 2013 has ended and the email address above will not be in use from 31 May 2016.
From the 31 May, please email: esf.2014-2020@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
for general questions about ESF or specific questions about the ESF 2014 to 2020 programme.
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