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Related Documents

Competitiveness ESF Framework Refresh Exeter Event 13th November Feedback

Competitiveness ESF Framework Refresh Salisbury feedback Nov 09

Competitiveness ESF Framework Refresh Event 9th & 13th Nov 2009

ESF Group

Competitiveness Area (South West excluding Cornwall) Strategy Development

Convergence Area (Isle of Scilly) Strategy Development

Regional ESF Strategies 2007-13

ESF

The European Social Fund (ESF) aims to improve employment and skills in the European Union and raise standards of living. The programme covers the whole of England and Gibraltar, including the 'Convergence' area of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly. The current round of ESF programmes runs from 2007 to 2013.  £134 million is available to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly through the new ESF Convergence programme and £95 million to the rest of the South West through the new ESF Regional Competitiveness and Employment programme (Competitiveness).

There are two main funding priorities in England: 'Extending employment opportunities' or tackling barriers to employment, and 'Developing a skilled and adaptable workforce' or improving the skills of the workforce.

 The SW RESP leads on the development of the ESF Frameworks for the South West region and works closely with Government Office South West (GOSW) on ESF strategy development and performance monitoring.  The contact at the RESP is Suzy Wright: suzy.wright@swrsp.org.uk and at GOSW it is Sarah Beeson: sarah.beeson@gosw.gsi.gov.uk. 

 ESF Framework Refresh 2011-2013 

Regional ESF Frameworks set out how ESF spending can add value around regional priorities to tackle worklessness and address skills needs, in the context of the national ESF Programme.  The ESF Framework for the Convergence area was developed in 2007 and informed delivery for 2007-10. It now needs to be updated to inform activity for 2011-13. As part of this refresh process, the RESP will be seeking views from partners involved in learning and skills and economic regeneration, on where the focus of the Framework should be in the second half of the Programme.   The refresh process is about refining the Framework, and is not a complete re-write. It is also about the strategic direction of ESF, not about the detail of delivery. 

The RESP in conjunction with GOSW is working with Ekosgen to complete this process by December 2009.   You will find all relevant documents about the consultation process on this page.