> 'Making a difference' the 2006 to 2008 ExDRA ESF programme
The current next round of ESF funding is being
delivered during the period 2006-2008 and makes available over £850,000
of funding within Essex under Objective 3 of the fund.
Projects delivered through ESF in recent years have focused on delivering help and support to disabled people and the theme of working with groups who are disadvantaged in the labour market will be carried through to the current round of funding for 2006-2008. An emphasis is also being placed on giving an opportunity to help small and medium enterprises to innovate, providing a link with the Essex Innovation Network agenda across the County.
3 specifications were made be available for tender:
Equal Opportunities for All and Promoting
Social Inclusion- £222,223
Available to support provision for the unemployed aged over 50 years.
Lifelong learning - £454,546
Available to support projects providing a route to vocational qualifications
for people who are economically inactive.
Adaptability and Entrepreneurship
- £177,778
Available to provide mentoring and training for small technologically led
enterprises in key emerging sectors.
Supporting Documents
ExDRA ESF Prospectus Round 2 April 2006 to March 2008 [568 KB] 
Application Form [236 KB] 
Application Guidance [80 KB]
ExDRA ESF Sample Contract [212 KB]
ESF Tender R3 Workshop Delegates List [81 KB]
Frequently Asked Questions UPDATED 3 [170 KB]
> Succesful Tenders
Amounts available per measure
Measure 2.2 = £222,223
Measure 3.1 = £454,546
Measure 4.3 = 177,778
Successful Tenders
Organisation: Chelmer Valley High
Project: Over 50's
ICT Couse
Measure: 2.2
Organisation: Harlow College
Project: Future Trainers
Measure: 2.2
Organisation: Harlow District Council
Project: Aspire
Measure: 3.1
> Who will benefit from ESF during 2006-2008
During 2006 to 2008 the ESF programme will focus on the following three
strands:
- innovative projects providing job seeking support, signposting to relevant training, work tasters and IT and basic skills training for unemployed people over 50 years of age
- projects providing a route to vocational qualifications at NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3 via access courses that will engage people with learning
- mentoring and training for small technologically led enterprises in key emerging sectors of the County’s economy linked to work being undertaken by the Essex Innovation Network.
> Co-financing
(CFO) -
Most regional Objective 3 ESF in England is
available through Co-financing Organisations (CFOs), which provide
100% funding to successful applicants. CFOs are responsible for finding
the required match funding so that applicants do not have to apply
for this separately to other funding sources. Job centre Plus and the
Learning and Skills Council are CFOs in all regions. In some regions
other public bodies, such as Regional Development Agencies and local
authorities are also CFOs.
CFOs make ESF available through a process of open and competitive tendering. Organisations that submit a tender do not have to find their own match funding. Organisations that are successful receive 100% funding. Details of Co-financing Organisations for your area are available from the Government Office for your region.
> Who are our partners?
ESF is being delivered and funded for Essex residents, excluding the unitary
authorities of Thurrock and Southend. In order to deliver the ESF programme
effectively a partnership approach is essential and will form the focus
of delivery.
Other key partners that ExDRA engages with in delivering ESF include Go-East (the Government Office for the East of England) and Essex County Council
