NI European Social Fund call for applications

07/10/2010 NI European Social Fund call for applications

The Department for Employment and Learning has opened a second and final Call for applications under the NI European Social Fund Programme 2007 ...
NI European Social Fund call for applications

The Department for Employment and Learning has opened a second and final Call for applications under the NI European Social Fund Programme 2007 – 2013 – Priority 1 – Helping People into Sustainable Employment
The ESF Programme will contribute to employment policies to make progress towards increasing the overall employment rate and reducing inactivity in Northern Ireland (subject to economic conditions) by extending employment opportunities in particular for those groups at a disadvantage in the labour market. It will also contribute to skills policies to increase productivity, enterprise and competitiveness by raising the skills levels of the workforce through lifelong learning and ensure the right workforce skills for future employment opportunities.

Priority 1
This Priority aims to increase employment and reduce unemployment and inactivity by improving the employability of those groups experiencing significant employment gaps such as people with disabilities and health conditions, lone parents and other disadvantaged parents, older workers, young people not in education, employment or training, women and people with no or low qualifications, and other disadvantaged groups, including people experiencing multiple disadvantage.

All applications which meet the criteria are welcome but the Department also wishes to encourage applications from organisations forming local partnership son either a geographical or client basis and those targeting young people (16–19 years old) not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Successful projects will receive funding for up to three years on the basis of 65% provided through the Programme and 35% public match funding independently secured by the successful organisation. Applications should pay particular attention to the need to reduce administration and overhead costs.

– The current programme runs from 2007 – 2013
– The 1st call has closed and 76 projects were approved
– The 2nd and final call is now open and will run for the final 3 years of the programme. Closing date for applications is noon on Friday 5 November.

Further background information on ESF eligibility, programme management requirements and guidance for applicants is included in the NI ESF Operational Manual available at the Department's website: www.delni.gov.uk/esf
Full application and guidance notes can be accessed at the EU Grants website: http://www.eugrants.org/

If more information is required then please contact:
Eileen Moreland
ESF Managing Authority
Room 307, Department of Education and Learning
Adelaide House
38 – 49 Adelaide Street
Belfast BT2 8FD
Tel: 028 9025 7633
Email:  esf@delni.gov.uk

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