> The European Social Fund
> What ESF Does - The European Social Fund (ESF) is one of four Structural Funds designed to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union. ESF’s main purpose is to support the annual UK Employment Action Plan, which sets out how UK policies and initiatives take account of the Employment Guidelines established within the European Employment Strategy.
> ESF aims
• help unemployed and inactive people enter work
• provide opportunities for people at a disadvantage in the labour market
• promote lifelong learning
• develop the skills of employed people
• improve women’s participation in the labour market
> How ESF money is spent - Over the past four years, Essex County Council, and now in conjunction with ExDRA, have helped to support over 3,000 people through the European Social Fund (ESF) programme. Essex has benefited from an investment of over £ 10 million through ESF.
ESF money is awarded to applicant organisations which have successfully bid or tendered for funding. A project must be run by a legally constituted organisation, not sole traders or individuals.
