Unlocking ESF Potential
Unlocking ESF Potential directs your third-sector organisation to a range of opportunities designed to strengthen your employment and training services, thereby assisting you to effectively deliver current or future ESF funded projects.
Services include:
- workshops
- training sessions
- individually tailored training for you and your organisation
- directories and policy bulletins on a range of topics relevant to ESF
Unlocking ESF Potential can also provide you with the opportunity to learn more about meeting the needs of equalities groups within ESF. Networking events and working groups facilitate discussion on how ESF works to tackle child poverty and worklessness.
European Social Fund (ESF)
The European Social Fund (ESF) aims to improve employment opportunities in the European Union (EU) thereby raising standards of living. It aims to help people fulfil their potential by giving them better skills and job prospects.
Since 2000, the ESF has been a key part of the EU's Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. It supports the EU's goal of increasing employment by giving unemployed and disadvantaged people the training and support they need to enter jobs. The fund focuses on those most in need of help and contributes to policies to reduce inequality and build a fairer society. The fund also equips workforces with the skills needed by business in a competitive global economy.
From 2000 to 2006, ESF has helped over four million people in England.
GLE Consulting
GLE Consulting holds a strong track record in independent and objective UK and European urban regeneration research and programme management. With offices in London, Brussels and Prague, our expertise draws on different professional and academic disciplines, including economics, urban planning, business studies and social sciences.
In addition to Unlocking ESF Potential, GLE has developed and currently manages several ESF programmes, including the Community Grants programme, the London Councils ESF and the London Councils ESF NRF Co-Financing programmes. GLE also has substantial experience in delivering ESF Technical Assistance projects, most notably with the 33 London boroughs. This has involved advising the London Councils on developments concerning the London ESF programme.
The London Voluntary Sector Training Consortium (LVSTC)
LVSTC was established as a voluntary organisation in 1989 with the specific aim of helping community and voluntary sector organisations access the European Social Fund to support training for vulnerable unemployed people.
LVSTC has become a registered charity funded by London Councils, The Big Lottery, City Bridge Trust and City Parochial Foundation, as well as through contracts with GOL and the European Programme Management Unit at the LDA, in order to facilitate the involvement of the voluntary and community sector in all aspects of ESF programmes in London.
London Councils
London Councils is committed to fighting for more resources for the capital and getting the best possible deal for London’s 33 local authorities.
The body is also a Co-Financing Organisation. Through the London Councils European Social Fund Co-financing programme, London Councils has just been awarded £7,385,981 million over 2 years to 33 organisations.
London Councils is also currently working with thirteen London boroughs to deliver an additional ESF funding programme adding value to the existing programme. This programme is worth approximately £9 million and will be delivered from January 2009 to March 2011.
