European Social Fund (ESF)
The European Social Fund (ESF) aims to improve employment and skills in the European Union and raise standards of living; the current round of ESF funding runs from 2007 to 2013. There are two designated funding areas in the South West – the ‘Convergence Area’ which covers Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and the ‘Competitivesness Area’ which covers the rest of the region.
For the Convergence Area a total of 196.4m Euros is available, and the priority axes are:
- Tackling Barriers to Employment
- Improving the Skills of the Local Workforce
For the Competitiveness Area a total of 144.1m Euros is available, and the priority Axes are:
- Extending Employment Opportunities
- Developing a Skilled and Adaptable Workforce
Regional ESF Frameworks are developed to set out how ESF funds can add value around regional priorities. The development of these Frameworks in the South West was led by the Employmentand Skills Partnership inconjunction with the Government Office for the South West (GOSW).
The ESF Framework has been refreshed for 2011-13.
Click here to view refreshed ESF Competitiveness Framework 2011 – 2013
Click here to view refreshed ESF Convergence Framework 2011 – 2013
