ESF Community Grants Programme
Second RoundCornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Catherine Roberts
Fund Manager
Where does the money come from?
• The Community Grants Programme is funded by the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency as part of the Convergence Programme
Main Aim
• TO RAISE THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EMPLOYABILITY OF THE HARDEST TO REACH GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS
BY SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR TO DELIVER
RELEVANT ACTIVITY IN THIER AREA
Target & Priority beneficiaries
• Target beneficiaries – unemployed and economically inactive aged 18yrs or over who are from the hardest to reach communities and who have difficulties accessing mainstream provision and/or ESF.
• Priorities for participation within that:– People with disabilities or health conditions – Lone Parents– People aged 50 or over– Females
What can be funded?
• All activities must help an individual to develop their skills and help them progress towards employment or further learning.
• Broad range of specific activity that can be funded as long as it meets the above.
Example activities
• Help with basic skills• Taster work experience and voluntary
work• Job search assistance• Confidence building and personal
development• First contact engagement activities –
helping overcome specific barriers• More project examples at the end
Who can apply?
• Constituted voluntary and community sector organisations who are local i.e. based and financially managed in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.With:- Organisation bank account- Relevant organisation policies e.g. Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding Policies
General Information & Criteria
• Total value of grants available c £560,000• Programme start – Summer 2011?• All projects to complete by
September 2013• All projects must meet aim of the
programme• Outcomes of individuals are
monitored
General Information & Criteria
• Total project costs no more than £12,000
• Grants are available up to 100% • Minimum grant = £1,000• Maximum grant = £12,000 pa• Project must not have started and
should not be longer than 12 months
General Information & Criteria
• Must demonstrate local need and demand
• Must be new activity • Projects must benefit the target
individuals• Progression of individuals must be
demonstrated
Progression outcomes?
• Types of expected outcomes are:
– People in work after leaving the programme
– People undertaking further learning or job search activity
– People with improved work related skills e.g. improved confidence, time keeping, literacy etc
Key Features of the Fund• Support provided both pre and
post application• Regular decision making meetings
– bi monthly/quarterly• Payments in stages – and linked to
evidence of spend and submission of monitoring information
• Encouraging use of other progression routes e.g. next step
EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS
My top tips
• Be clear about who you are helping, why and how.
• Read everything carefully – helpnotes, contracts etc
• If you’re not sure – ASK!• Be prepared to fill in lots of paperwork –
this is EU money!• It’s a lot easier if you do it as you go
along rather than wait until the end!
Next Steps?
• Decide whether the CGP is right for you and your project.
• Watch out for information about the programme
• If you’re interested – give me your contact details
My contact details
Catherine Roberts
Fund Manager
Business and Skills Directorate
Cornwall Development Company
Tel: 01209 611106
Email: catherine.roberts@cornwalldevelopmentcompany
.co.uk