Resources

The Resources section is a rich source of constantly updated information about how ESF funding supports providers in delivering successful European Social Fund projects. ESF-Works’ Resources are an indispensable source of learning and advice, including multimedia interviews, key policy documents, practical project materials, and useful toolkits to help you discover the keys to successful project delivery.

Interviews

Stay up-to-date with new developments or explore older ESF News items and newsletters to find out what’s happening with the European Social Fund across England.

ESF funding in the East of England

ESF funded projects in the East of England

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Among other groups that are facing barriers to employment, the European Social Fund in the East of England supports the recently redundant. In addition to the robust activity stimulating growth in key business sectors, the economic downturn has increased provision for coordinated redundancy support services. Beyond 2010 is an example of a project that combines supporting business skills development in seven key sectors such as engineering with a programme of enhanced redundancy support.

Removing barriers to employment

Intensified competition for jobs has highlighted the significance of ESF funding in the East of England in helping people farthest removed from the labour market to overcome barriers, identify and develop their confidence and skills, and enable progression to mainstream services.

Groups who face particular challenges include:

young people (NEET and graduates)
those aged 50+
lone parents
low skilled
disabled people
certain ethnic minorities.

In Bedford, Working with Housing Association Tenants has raised the aspirations and increased progression opportunities for participants through an integrated provision of employment support, skills development and information advice and guidance services tailored to individual needs. The TransQual: Migrant Worker Qualification Conversion and TransQual: ELT are two complementary projects, one that assesses and provides official validation of a foreign qualification with its English equivalent, and the other which provides English language training for migrant workers with low level English skills, offering a pathway to social inclusion and better integration into British society.

ESF funding in the East of England

ESF funding is channelled nationally through Jobcentre Plus (the Department of Work and Pensions), the Skills Funding Agency, the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and Innovation, Transnational and Mainstreaming (ITM), and is supported in the East of England by additional funding from the East of England Development Agency (until March 2012), the Central Bedfordshire Council and Luton Borough Council.