News in Brief

Live on AIR

The Annual Implementation Report on the England Objective 3 programme in 2002 is now available on the ESF website (www.esf.gov.uk/news/AIR.shtml). The report describes the programme’s labour market and policy context, performance, management and links to other European Union policies. It includes case studies and shows how ESF has supported activities described in the National Action Plans for employment and social inclusion.

Select Committee hearings

The Work and Pensions Select Committee has been conducting an inquiry into the implementation of ESF. At hearings held in May, the Committee took evidence from the European Commission, Learning and Skills Council, Government Offices and ESF partners. The Committee also visited Spain and Portugal, to study how those countries implemented ESF, and visited ESF projects in London.

Chris Pond, the DWP Minister with responsibility for ESF, and officials from ESF Division gave evidence at the end of June. The Committee expects to publish its report later in the year.

A perfect match

Jobcentre Plus in Cornwall has secured £ 3.2 million of investment from Objective 1 to support a wide range of additional projects across Cornwall – helping jobless people move closer to employment.

Initially eight projects will be delivered by a variety of organisations and groups from the community and voluntary sectors, statutory bodies, training providers and Local Operational Partnerships.

Each project will identify, and try to overcome, the specific problems which prevent some people from starting work. “There are a variety of different initiatives which go some way to addressing the individual needs of jobseekers and developing new partnerships within Cornwall,” said Jobcentre Plus ESF Manager Jacki Williams. “As a direct result of these projects an additional 1,900 jobless people can now look forward to receiving more help. It is anticipated that 1,400 people will be in work or involved in employment-related training after accessing this support.”

Following a successful first round of tendering in November 2002, they are now seeking further proposals from organisations to deliver projects that:

• enhance the employability of people;
• promote social inclusion and target support for deprived and rural communities; and
• provide tailored recruitment and retention support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective 1 Partnership, said, “The Objective 1 programme is investing millions of pounds across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to help people access new opportunities for training and employment. Our investment in a range of schemes through Jobcentre Plus means the money will be targeted where it is needed most.”

Want to know more?
Contact Jacki Williams on 01726 294031

Lynsey Frost at work on the Mediabridge project

On the case

Every month ESF publishes case studies on its website (www.esf.gov.uk), in order to acknowledge the continuing success of ESF projects and promote good practice. These case studies are regularly updated and take a closer look at a variety of projects from across the country – showing the breadth of work, and commitment of ESF staff, partners and beneficiaries, that goes into helping people improve their employment opportunities.

One of the most recent additions to the site is the Mediabridge project, a nationwide project run by Community Service Volunteers (CSV) Media, which is helping over 4,000 people find employment in the broadcasting industries. Mediabridge, which received Objective 3 funding in early 2001, is a web-driven project that helps mainly unemployed people, but also disabled people, single parents and people from ethnic minorities, find employment in areas such as TV, radio and journalism.

The project has had its fair share of success stories including Lynsey Frost. " After attending the Mediabridge Radio Master classes in Birmingham, I went on to the Keele Master class, which I found really useful,” said Lynsey. “I then volunteered at BBC Birmingham on the CSV Media Action Desk, and also gained some paid voiceover work as a result of a contact I'd made at the Mediabridge Master class. Through the help of this contact and my voiceover tape, I successfully landed a full-time, permanent position as a Transmission Assistant at BBC TV Centre in London.”

To see more information on this, and other, projects visit the ESF website at www.esf.gov.uk/goodpractice/ Case%20Studies/CaseStudyhome.shtml Alternatively, if you would like to recommend a project for the website contact Lynnette Keller at lynnette.keller@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

Update – Mid-Term Evaluation

Over the past few months many of you, for example, those working on Objective 3 projects or in the Government Offices, will have been asked to provide a variety of information to help inform the mid-term evaluation of the Objective 3 programme for England.

Research projects were commissioned to look at different aspects of the programme – for example, three projects were commissioned to look at the key themes of equal opportunities mainstreaming; the information society; and local development, including sustainable development. Further projects have considered co-financing and, in the case of the Annual Leavers’ Survey, beneficiaries’ outcomes and perceptions of the support they received.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed towards providing the information that has informed the research projects and ultimately the mid-term evaluation report. This information is important because it allows us to report on the progress of the programme in reaching its objectives while it is still being carried out, and provides evidence to support any adjustments that may be necessary.

The final report is due to be forwarded to the European Commission at the end of 2003. Each research study will also have a published report, due in autumn 2003, outlining the findings and, in some cases, will be accompanied by examples of good practice.

ESF Website

A new homepage went live on the ESF website (www.esf.gov.uk) on 27 June. In addition, work has also commenced on a detailed restructuring of the site, with the aim of establishing a new site by January 2004. A key focus of this work will be to ensure that information on co-financing, including the application process, can be more readily accessed.

If you have any comments about the content and structure of the current website, and how it could be redeveloped to better meet your needs, then please contact Lynnette Keller at lynnette.keller@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

Publicity plaques – new supplier

Publicity plaques, which increase public awareness of ESF-supported activities should be displayed in buildings where ESF funding has supported a project. This is a requirement under both the co-financing and alternative bidding routes.

Plaques can be obtained by contacting the following distribution company:

Corporate Document Services (CDS),
Orderline, 7 Eastgate, Leeds LS2 7LY

Telephone: 0113 399 4040
Fax: 0113 399 4205
Email: orderline@cds.co.uk

Please quote reference number: ESF0001 when ordering a plaque.

Future of Structural Funds

The consultation on the Government's proposals on reform of the Structural Funds, which was featured in an ESF News Special Report in May, closed on 4 July. Thanks go to ESF partners who contributed to consultation events and sent in written submissions.

The responses have been analysed over the summer and the Government is now developing its formal position on the future of the Funds. Further updates will be carried in future editions of ESF News and on the ESF website.