Guidance

Citizens summary

Updated 8 October 2024

Applies to England

1. Programme overview

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the European Commission formally agreed and adopted the European Social Fund (ESF) Operational Programme (OP) in September 2015. It was launched by the then Minister for Employment in January 2016.

As part of the Government’s overall growth activity, the ESF Programme has been supporting projects across the country since March 2015. It is delivered through a range of partners, including other Government Departments and bodies across public, private and third party sectors.

EU funds require co-financing from either public or private sources, therefore, ESF in England works in part with four national Co-Financing Organisations (CFOs):

• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

• Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)

• His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)

• National Lottery Community Fund ((NLCF) previously known as Big Lottery Fund (BLF)) through their Building Better Opportunities programme (BBO).

DWP acts as the Managing Authority for the programme.

The objective of the Programme is to contribute to local growth by improving social inclusion, education, training and equality for those furthest from the Labour Market with an ultimate aim to bring these individuals in, or closer, to sustainable and continued employment with additional targeted focus on certain vulnerable groups.

ESF supports efforts to reduce employment gaps, for instance by ensuring an appropriate proportion of participants are women, over 50, disabled or from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, and specific activities are delivered to tackle youth unemployment in areas where the rate is particularly high.

The Programme also aims to develop a skilled and adaptable workforce which, in turn, increases productivity. By improving access to lifelong learning for all, ESF supports a range of activities; from helping people tackle basic skills needs, through to developing intermediate and higher levels skills that they and their employers need.

The value of the Programme, over its seven years, is €3.49bn.

At the end of December 2019, £2.138bn of funding had been allocated to over 421 contracts, with £1.02bn claims paid to projects.

421 Contracts

+

£1.02bn Claims Paid

=

1,032,095 Participants Helped so far

ESF is only used where there is a demonstrable need, such as where there is market failure or where ESF will add value to, and not duplicate, existing nationally funded provision to support employment and skills.

There are 38^{[footnote 1]} Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas where ESF England is delivered. The ‘Categories of Region’ (CoRs) indicate the level of ESF funding provided by the European Union (EU), with the remainder being made up of ‘Match’ funding from either public or private sources.

Less Developed – up to 80% EU funding Transitional – up to 60% EU funding More Developed – up to 50% EU funding

Each LEP area has developed strategies to ensure funding focuses on local needs.

These strategies inform the Calls for funding in each area that are published on GOV.UK by the Managing Authority and include all ESF CFO tendering opportunities.

2. Implemented activities

The programme contributes to policies to add growth to the employment rate by increasing the numbers of unemployed and economically inactive people entering sustainable jobs.

The types of activities currently being delivered with the aid of ESF funding are detailed below.

2.1 Young people and the Youth Employment Initiative

ESF is being used to fund support which prepares young people for working life, in particular by reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training (known as NEET) or at risk of becoming NEET.

Whilst prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, youth unemployment had been at a record low, ESF interventions for young people are now more critical than ever to help boost their skills or to prepare them for work.

In addition, ESF aims to contribute to continuing efforts to reduce child poverty in low income households.

The Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) provides a separate European funding source that complements ESF funding in areas where there is higher youth unemployment.

Projects demonstrate the positive impact ESF is having in supporting young people from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds to overcome multiple barriers, gain new skills and move in, or closer, to employment and training.

2.2 Support to improve mental health

Poor mental health can often be a barrier to successful employment due to the day-to-day side effects of a condition. ESF is funding projects that work with participants with mental health issues to help them manage and overcome their condition.

By using a variety of approaches and activities that engage and motivate people, ESF is also tackling the impacts of mental health issues and recognising the impact of isolation for people living in rural parts of the country.

2.3 People with disabilities and health conditions

The effects of a disability or health condition can make it harder for a person to find and sustain employment. ESF projects have tailored support to help people address these additional barriers to finding work and to support them in entering the labour market.

2.4 Community level funding opportunities

ESF supports projects that are working directly within local communities to meet specific needs, and often working with marginalised and socially excluded people. This approach also gives small, locally based organisations access to funding to provide support in the areas they are familiar with.

2.5 Individualised job preparation support

Individualised support, including one-to-one mentoring or information, advice and guidance, is used effectively to help people navigate the services already available to them, and to attain or improve job-searching skills, like interview techniques and CV writing.

This type of personalised support helps to remove barriers to gaining employment or accessing domestic programmes and can continue to help sustain employment after that person has been hired.

2.6 Upskilling unemployed people

Sometimes a person’s barrier to work is a lack of relevant skills for the workplace; they might lack digital skills, basic English and Maths qualifications, or more industry-specific skills needed for the local area. ESF projects are providing this type of support and removing barriers to employment faced by people.

2.7 Upskilling the Workforce and Working with Employers

Across England, ESF projects are working with local industry and employers to determine skills gaps and offer provision to fill these gaps, in addition to providing support to upskill existing employees.

Employers are able to highlight where opportunities exist for employment and work experience and projects successfully bring together the needs of the local economy with the local workforce who are able to fill those gaps.

The support increases the knowledge and capabilities of the workforce which, in turn, encourages business growth.

2.8 Working with Partners

ESF can add value (in addition to any mainstream support) to local areas by bringing together partners and services, enabling project participants to access valuable advice and support that meets their needs.

By working through a range of partners and agencies, participants are being supported to overcome barriers to the labour market and gain new skills and confidence to move them closer to, and into, employment.

2.9 Innovative approaches

ESF funding provides the opportunity for projects to deliver support using new and different approaches.

This might be in the form of maximising technology to engage and train participants, or developing innovative solutions to solving problems and improving services.

3. Case studies - good practice

3.1 Step Forward, Tees Valley (£8.9m EU Funding)

Supports local people to overcome barriers to work which can include physical or mental ill-health, a lack of self-confidence, a gap in skills, a conviction, or an addiction.

The project works with a range of partners to help people overcome their barriers and, when they are ready, take advantage of voluntary, training or employment possibilities. Step Forward also works with local employers to create new opportunities for participants to gain work experience. To date over 2,250 participants have engaged with the project and received support.

3.2 Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW), Dorset (£4.5m EU Funding)

Is a programme developed to upskill employees within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SSW provides recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses to enhance employees’ skills, increase the competitiveness of businesses and boost local priorities and economies, such as: Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing; Agri-tech; Food and Drink; Creative Industries; Environmental Goods and Services; Financial Services Sector.

One example of their success is where one SME undertook a detailed analysis of employee’s personal and business objectives along with their existing skills levels. Several training options were identified and delivered; from personality profiling workshops, to the whole company at its annual away day, to small group Excel training at the training provider’s premises, and a Leadership programme for Heads of Department to support them with the progression of their teams.

3.3 Black Country ESF Community Grants (£909k EU Funding)

The project provides grants to small charities or not-for-profit community organisations to help unemployed people progress towards employment.

The project targets key groups that are disadvantaged in the workforce, such as the over 50s, women, people with disabilities or from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

One organisation to receive funding was the Wildside Activity Centre in Wolverhampton to help with their ‘Step up for Conservation’ and ‘Helping nature – building skills’ projects.

Various activities were aimed at increasing participants’ mental health, self-esteem and confidence, such as installing coir beds along the canal which help to protect the habitat, and making items to sell from the natural environment. These activities are complimented with traditional employability support, such as job search guidance, to help people find and sustain employment.

4. Communication

ESF is part of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) which has a dedicated site on GOV.UK.

This website:

• contains key programme documents, guidance and governance information; plus annual booklets featuring project case studies to publicise activities and achievements

• provides access to the bespoke, fully searchable ‘funding finder’ tool where project calls for the ESIF programme are located. A separate page provides access to funding opportunities from ESF CFOs

• hosts a searchable list of beneficiaries

• sets out branding and publicity requirements (including access to logos and poster templates) to support partners/projects in their delivery.

4.1 England European Social Programme 2014-2020 booklet

This was published in 2019 and can be found at England European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 on GOV.UK.

4.2 Social media activity

You can follow ESIF activities on Twitter @esif1420england

ESIF also has a dedicated YouTube channel, ESIF YouTube channel, uploading films, including some highlights from successful projects.

1. There were originally 39 LEP areas, but Northamptonshire merged with South East Midlands. ↩