ESF Community Learning Grants in the North West Ian McHugh Interim Project Manager, WEA (Grant Coordinating Body) February 2012
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 Grants of between 1,000-12,000 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 funding rounds Merseyside - 266,374 Rest of North West - 1,482,163
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.
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 communities However, 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 year s 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 Grant Offer Letter 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
Contact Details: North West WEA Region, 4 th 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