The European Social Fund (ESF) has opened new calls for projects worth £35m across the North East LEP area; these are:
• £3m ESF to support young people aged 18-29 overcome barriers to employment (Northumberland and Tyne and Wear only).
• £6m ESF to provide specialist support to help overcome barriers to employment
• £6m ESF to support North East Ambition
• £20m ESF to support Digital Skills development
The North East LEP is holding two free information events to give local partners more details on the focus of the newly opened calls, what areas they will address and how a potential application for funding should be approached. If you wish to attend both events, you must register for each event separately.
Event 1:
ESF calls for Young People Support and Specialist Support to Overcome Barriers to Employment
When: 14 August 2017, 9.00am - 12.00noon
Where: Jury's Inn Hotel, Newcastle
This event will focus on the following two calls:
- £3m ESF - Employment Support for Young People 18-29 (Northumberland and Tyne and Wear only)
- £6m ESF - North East Specialist Support for Unemployed / Inactive
Register for this event by 9 August 2017. Please note that places at the event will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Event 2:
ESF calls for North East Ambition and Digital Skills Development
When: 5 September 2017, 9.00am - 12.00noon
Where: Hilton NewcastleGateshead
This event will focus on the following calls:
- £3m ESF - North East Ambition Pilot Part 1: Strategic Framework
- £3m ESF - North East Ambition Pilot Part 2: Tailored Training
- £20m ESF – Digital Skills North East
Register for this event by 30 August 2017. Please note that places at the event will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Book your place here.
About the calls
The latest funding round consists of:
£3m ESF - Employment Support for Young People 18-29 (Northumberland and Tyne and Wear only)
Applications are currently sought to provide support to increase employment for young people aged 18-29 in the Northumberland, Tyne and Wear area only. Further information on this call can be found here.
The closing date for this call is 25 September 2017.
£6m ESF - North East Specialist Support for Unemployed / Inactive
Applications are currently sought to support unemployed and inactive residents with health conditions, with an additional focus on those aged 50+. Further information on this call can be found here.
The closing date for this call is 23 October 2017.
£3m ESF - North East Ambition Pilot Part 1: Strategic Framework
Applications are currently sought to run a project that brings together educators, businesses and local communities to transform the education system. Applications must align with the linked 2.1 NE Ambition Pilot Part 2: Tailored Training Call below. It is anticipated that only one proposal will be selected from this call to cover the whole of the North East LEP area. Further information on this call can be found here.
The closing date for this call is 23 October 2017.
£3m ESF - North East Ambition Pilot Part 2: Tailored Training
Applications are currently sought to provide skills development for employees in education establishments. Applications must align with the linked 2.2 NE Ambition Pilot Part 1: Strategic Framework Call above. Further information on this call can be found here.
The closing date for this call is 23 October 2017.
£20m ESF – Digital Skills North East
Applications are currently sought to address the digital skills challenges and opportunities. This includes supporting the development of Digital Skills for Digital Jobs and also activity to support wider digital skills development across industries. Further information on this call can be found here.
The closing date for this call is 23 October 2017.
How to apply
Applicants should apply through the .gov.uk website, where you will find the Outline Application form and the guidance notes to help you complete the form. We also have technical assistance support available in each local authority – contact details can be found here and further details on European Structural Funding can be found on the LEP website here.
Further calls are expected to open in September for ERDF and ESF – more details to follow soon.
