DWP's role as an ESF CFO
Updated 23 January 2017
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-european-social-fund-2014-to-2020/dwp-role-as-an-esf-co-financing-organisation
1. Role as an ESF co-financing organisation
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) role as a co-financing organisation (CFO) for European Social Fund (ESF) 2014 to 2020 is to procure and contract manage provision aimed at:
- improving employment opportunities
- promoting social inclusion
- helping people to fulfill their potential
In England, ESF 2014 to 2020 has been brought together with the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) to form the European Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) Growth Programme.
For the latest news on ESIF, subscribe to the ESIF programme bulletin by emailing: esif@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Responsibility for managing the overall ESF element of the ESIF programme, rests with the ESF Managing Authority (MA), which is also located within DWP.
2. Operational Programme
The ESF MA and the European Commission have formally agreed and adopted the European Social Fund Operational Programme.
The Operational Programme is the main document for setting out the strategy and priorities for use of the ESF 2014 to 2020 fund to support the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It also contains information on how the fund will be delivered, managed and evaluated.
DWP as a CFO will follow the strategy and priorities set out within the Operational Programme.
3. Local Enterprise Partnerships
39 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are also involved in ESF 2014 to 2020. They have set up ESIF sub-committees to provide information and advice on local needs, which the ESF MA has considered when deciding what provision to fund in each area.
LEP area sub-committees have decided whether to use the services of co-financing organisations to help meet local employment, skills and social inclusion needs.
Many LEP area sub-committees have decided to work with the DWP as a CFO and have agreed the particular requirements relevant to their local area.
The DWP CFO has entered into a series of Memorandums of Understanding with the ESF MA and will procure and manage the employment and social inclusion element of ESF provision.
The Local Enterprise Partnerships website has the latest information about LEPs and their networks.
4. Guidance for providers
To assist providers who will be delivering provision on behalf of DWP CFO, the following guidance gives detailed information about ESF 2014 to 2020.
The DWP framework generic provider guidance provides guidance and background information about all DWP employment-related programmes. Chapter 11b is about ESF 2014 to 2020 requirements in general.
The ESIF branding and publicity requirements set out the minimum requirements for branding and publicity for ESF as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme.
5. Other co-financing organisations
Co-financing organisations provide the required eligible match funding and use their expertise to procure and contract manage, or grant fund, European Social Fund provision. The ESF partner page contains information about co-financing organisations operations and their prior status as an opt-in organisation.
6. European Social Fund provision update
Read updates on progress of 31 contracts in the latest letter to providers.
If you’re interested in delivering ESF 2014 to 2020 provision for DWP CFO, all Prior Information Notices (PINs) and information regarding the Invitation to Tender (ItTs) can be found on: