ESF Community Learning Grants in the North West

Ian StandishRegional Education Manager, WEA (Grant Coordinating Body)November 2011

What is WEA?

WORKERS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION A large voluntary adult educational provider and

national charity with committee democratically elected by members- established in 1903.

In 2009/10, we ran over 10,000 courses with over 100,000 enrolments.

We deliver all our courses through community partnerships.

Our NW region – Cumbria, Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester with offices in Manchester, Liverpool & Workington.

Role of WEA as Grant Coordinating Body

Develop & manage a Community Grants Programme on behalf of the Skills Funding Agency (SFA)

In partnership with Locality & Community Matters

Develop & publicise application process Selection process – community panels Provide support to grant recipients Monitor & evaluate outcomes Engage key stakeholders in delivery – through

partnerships and community panels Ensure the programme supports and reaches the

communities and individuals who most need it

ESF Community Learning Grants

These are grants of between £1,000 - £12,000 available to support some of the hardest to reach communities and individuals, to help people access further learning or training that could lead to employment.

Available from January 2012 until December 2013, with 5 or 6 funding rounds

Merseyside - £301,890 Rest of North West - £1,567,409

Who benefits?

Unemployed individuals – access to learning and support that improves employability (progression towards the labour market)

Organisations who apply – ESF Community Learning Grants can be a route to developing your ability to deliver employment and skills activities

Who can apply for funding? Aimed at small constituted community and

voluntary groups, registered charities & and charitable Companies Limited by Guarantee.

Preference given to organisations with an income of no more than £300,000 per year in each of the last 2 years.

Social enterprises such as Community Interest Companies (CIC) can apply so long as surpluses used for community benefit.

New groups? Need for evidence!

What activities can the grants pay for?

Help with basic skills Taster work experience, including

voluntary work Training, advice and guidance Job search assistance Confidence building Personal development Support to overcome barriers to

training, employment and enterprise + Other creative solutions!

Some examples of previous projects

Media project with teenage single mums

IT skills project for people with visual impairments

Café project for people with mental health issues

Intergenerational skills project Sewing project with Asian women

ESF Target Group & Priority Groups

The ESF Target Group – unemployed or economically inactive people 18 years & over who are from hardest to reach communities.

Not limited to particular geographical areas - pockets of need throughout the region

Within the target group, 5 particular priority groups identified

ESF Priority Groups

Women People with disabilities or health conditions

(including learning difficulties, mental health, drug & alcohol dependency)

People aged 50 & over and seeking employment

Lone parents Black & Minority Ethnic communitiesHowever, applications need not be limited to those

groups - up to you to make a case

Application process

Eligibility Gateway – checking for incomplete or ineligible application forms

Supporting Evidence Required Constitution Previous 2 years’ audited accounts Annual Report Health & Safety Policy Equality & Diversity Policy

Scoring Process – Independent Panel

Common application mistakes

Not fully completing the forms Not meeting the set eligibility criteria Not enough evidence of demand for

proposed activity Budget not clearly defined No clear identification of the learning

activity to be delivered Applications not detailing progression for

individual learners clearly enough

If you are not successful

We will offer:

Feedback on why not

Support to apply again in later round

If you are successful

Visit to your Learning Venue Mandatory Guidance Workshop Handover of Offer Letter / Contract Capacity Building Support Learner records Financial records Evaluation & Case Studies

Capacity Building

Additional support on offer to funded groups

Training for organisations rather than individual beneficiaries

Wide in scope, but could include e.g.: Advice on routes into employment and training Developing quality of teaching and learning Development of accreditation for your courses Safeguarding vulnerable adults, sustainability Gearing up to bid for contracts

Finding out more

Application form, common questions (FAQ), examples of previous projects and guidance on how to apply all available from NW WEA online

Local support, workshops & events to advertise the funding & help potential applicants

Help from WEA, Community Matters & Locality

North West WEA Region, 4th floor, Crawford House, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9GH

Website: www.nw.wea.org.uk/esf_grants/about

Email: ESFgrants@wea.org.uk Tel: 0161 277 5411 / 5408

Contact Details: