Guidance

AIR 2018 Citizen's Summary

Updated 27 May 2021

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)

• Her 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 is 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, 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 total value of the Programme, over its seven years, is approximately €6.4bn.

At the end of December 2018 £3.02bn (€3.34bn) of funding had been allocated to over 369 projects, with £1.25bn claims paid to projects.

Contracts	Claims paid	Participants helped so far
369	£1.25bn	691,399

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.

Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas where ESF England is delivered. The ‘Categories of Region’ (CoRs) indicate the level of ESF funding with the remainder being made up of ‘Match’ funding from either public or private sources.

Less Development 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 (NEET) or at risk of becoming NEET. Whilst youth unemployment is at a record low, some young people can benefit from ESF interventions to boost their skills or their job preparedness.

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 and provide 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 to local areas by bringing together partners and services, allowing 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. Cases studies reflecting good practice

Springboard (£4.3m EU Funding and £3.3m YEI)

Works with 20 delivery partners in a number of sectors in the city of Hull and across the Humber. Participants receive help with barriers to work such as travel, childcare costs and mental health issues, as well as training when required.

Aspire Higher (£2.2m EU Funding)

Is a gang prevention project in London that engages with potential and ex-gang members to deter individuals from joining gangs and committing gang related crimes.

Funding is being used to tailor interventions for individuals, including parental support and trauma support. During regular one-to-one sessions with an Achievement Coach, participants create an action plan which includes voluntary work experience, and motivational sessions and activities.

The Achievement Coach will also advocate and mediate to be the protective factor for the young person.

Bike Project (£111,000 EU Funding)

Works in Manchester with high risk male offenders to help overcome mental health issues and improve independent living skills. Through one-to-one tuition and practical training, the project helps participants to work as part of a team and develop problem solving skills.

Participants are trained to repair and recycle broken bicycles, including bikes in a state of disrepair, to bring them back to working order.

Uniquely, the first bike a participant repairs is given to a disadvantaged child or adult in Africa or Europe, which often has a profound effect on the participant as they see their hard work helping someone in need. Participants are then able to keep the second bike they repair, which has led to the development of cycle groups and has also improved physical fitness and emotional wellbeing.

4. Communication

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

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

‘Supporting Local Growth 2018 booklet

This was published in November 2018 and can be found at Supporting Local Growth 2018 booklet.

Social media activity

You can follow ESIF activities @esif1420england.

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