New Programme 2007-2013
Notice On 22nd April the LSC West Midlands launched their second round to procure activity under the new ESF Programme for 2007-2013. Those providers who were successful at the PQQ stage have been invited to submit full applications against the following activity:
- Workforce Skills – Numeracy
- Workforce Skills – Train to Gain Capacity Building (NVQ)
- Engaging Employers into Training through the skills pledge
- Community Grants: Grants Co-ordinating Bodies
- Pre 16 NEET provision
- Post 16 Provision for NEET
The deadline for submissions is Friday 30th May 16:00pm
This section introduces the new ESF programme and contains some of the key documents for managing it.
Programme Background – provides an introduction to the new programme, the funding available and links for further information.
Regional Plans & Strategies – information on how the new programme is being implemented in the West Midlands and in the LSC.
Meetings & Minutes – Minutes from the LSCs and LGA Co-financing Board.
The current European Structural Funds Programming period ends in 2006; the new programming period will run from 2007-2013. The UK will continue to receive significant European Funding with some €9.4billion of funding anticipated, of which €5.3billion will be available for the Competitiveness and Employment Objective.
As a result of the agreement the EU financial perspective in December 2005, the UK will be in receipt of Structural Funds for the programming period 2007 - 13 to the value of approx €9.4 bn. This is broken down into three strands which are proposed structural fund programmes:
- €2.6bn for the Convergence programme - (successor to Objective 1)
- €6.2bn for the Competitiveness and Employment programme - (successor to Objective 2 and 3)
- €0.5bn for the Cooperation programme - to promote cooperative activity between European regions
The West Midlands will receive funds under the Competitiveness and Employment programme. This objective will focus on six overarching priorities:
- Promoting Innovation (ERDF)
- Tackling Barriers to Business Growth (ERDF)
- Sustainable Development, Production and Consumption (ERDF)
- Building Sustainable Communities (ERDF)
- Extending Employment Opportunities to all (ESF)
- Developing a skilled and adaptable workforce (ESF)
European Social Fund
There will be a single ESF programme for England (similar to the model adopted for the current Objective 3) led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). For more information on this visit the Government for the West Midlands website, by clicking here.
This section contains plans and strategies for co-financing in the West Midlands.
National Operational Programme – The Operational Programme explains how the England and Gibraltor will be managed, who will be the beneficiaries and what its targets will be. The OP is written by ESF Division of DWP. The Division is responsible for ensuring that European Social Fund money in England is used to support and add value to national employment and skills priorities, in line with EU regulations. See www.esf.gov.uk for more information.
Regional framework – The regional framework explains how the Operational Programme will be implemented in the region. It outlines the priorities for the region and how much funding is available. The framework must fit into the national Operational Programme. The Regional Framework is developed by the Regional Skills Partnership, see www.wmskillspartnership.org.uk for more information.
LSC/LGA Co-financing Plan – The Co-financing Plan explains how the Co-financing Organisation (CFO) will use the funds that they have been allocated. It explains what their priorities are, how the programme will be managed and what their targets are. The CFO plans for the region need to meet the targets of the Regional Framework.
LSC/LGA Memorandum of Agreement - The West Midlands has two Co-financing Organisations (CFOs): Job Centre Plus and a unique partnership of the LSC and the Local Government Association (LGA). This document outlines how the LSC and the LGA, and Sub-Regional Group (SRG) partners, will work together to deliver the Co-financing Plan above. For more information on the LGA please see www.wmlga.gov.uk.
JCP Co-financing Plan – Information on Job Centre Plus Co-financing can be found by clicking here.
Regional Technical Assistance Strategy – Technical Assistance (TA), or Priority 3 of the OP, are funds that can be used to support the programme in the region, that is activity that cross all CFO activity. This includes publicity, research and support to the third sector. This document outlines the strategy for the West Midlands in relation to these funds.
If you have any questions on these documents, please email the LSC at wmesf@lsc.gov.uk.
This section includes the minutes of the CFO Board for the LSC/LGA CFO Partnership.
None available at the moment.
