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Community Grants

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ESF Community Grants will enable small Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) that would not otherwise be able to access ESF, to access
small grants through simplified application arrangements.

Community Grants will support a range of activities aimed at
assisting the disadvantaged or excluded to move closer to the
labour market by improving their access to mainstream provision/ESF
and domestic employment and skills provision. Activities will support beneficiaries from the target groups in the Operational Programme
but because the focus will be on individuals who have difficulty in accessing ESF or mainstream provision outcomes are more likely to be based on progression rather than achievement of jobs and qualifications.

Indicative activities may include consultation events, confidence building, mentoring or support, community champions, initial help with basic skills, taster work experience including voluntary work, training advice and counselling and first contact engagement activities.

Community Grants will not duplicate provision that is available through ordinary ESF
Co-financing; they will provide support that enables hardest to reach communities and individuals to access and succeed in this or other provision.

TSOs accessing grants are likely to be well placed to reach excluded individuals who have barriers which hinder access to mainstream support.

Grant Co-ordinating Bodies (GCB) will administer the grants and be responsible for:

  • Publicising the availability of grants and making calls for applications
  • Selecting successful third sector applicants, agreeing level of approved grant and planned outcomes
  • Provide support, where necessary, to grant recipients to help them manage ESF effectively
  • Monitoring and delivery of grant receipts and reporting back to the LSC

The maximum level of grant award to a small TSO, is £12,000 per annum, however GCBs may agree with the LSC a lower of award that would apply the region as a whole to maximise the funding available.

Geographical coverage under the Competitiveness programme is Devon, Dorset and Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.  Under the Convergence programme it covers Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The Community Grants contracts are currently in pre-contract negotiation.  Details of the successful providers for this activity will be listed here once contracted.  Please check back later.