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Does your group want to help people overcome barriers and gain the skills and confidence to get back into work?

Nearly £2m was available in 2012 and 2013 in the North West as ESF Community Learning Grants. These were grants up to a maximum of £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. The funding could be applied for by small community and voluntary groups, registered charities & social enterprises, with preference given to organisations with a turnover of no more than £300,000 per year in each of the last 2 years.

The grants could support a wide range of activities including:

• Initial help with basic skills
• Taster work experience including voluntary work
• Training, advice and counselling Job search assistance
• Confidence building and personal development
• Support to individuals to overcome barriers to learning or employment

The programme was aimed at all people out of work, or those recently made redundant, but with a particular priority given to support for:

• People with disabilities or health conditions (including those with learning difficulties, mental health issues or drug and alcohol dependency problems)

• People aged 50 or over and seeking employment

• People from ethnic minorities

• Women

• Lone parents

The programme for the North West is being managed by the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA).

Round 1 – Closed

Round 2 – Closed

Round 3 – Closed

Round 4 – Closed

FUTURE FUNDING

In the event of any further ESF funding becoming available in the next year e.g. through underspends, we will firstly notify all previous unsuccessful applicants of the process for its allocation. We will also publicise information about the next programme of ESF small grants from 2014 onwards once this becomes available.