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