Funding from Europe

Produced By

 

The Charities Information Bureau

 

Duplicated for Seminar by Consulting4London

 

Funding From Europe

What can you do with European Funding?

Some Examples

• Training projects for the most disadvantaged
• Training for staff and volunteers
• Employing community development workers
• Confidence Building for communities
• Doing local surveys to find out what your community need
• Encouraging volunteering
• Improving community buildings & doing up derelict land
• Research Projects
• Job search advice and counseling
• Tackling discrimination and inequality
• Support for 14-16 year olds excluded from school
• And more!!!

 

What are the Structural Funds are:

• European Social Fund (ESF)
• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
• European Agricultural Guidance & Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)
• Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG)

 

All these provide some funds for the voluntary sector.

 

What is ESF?

European Social Fund (ESF) – Revenue Only

This means you can pay for Project running costs such as: Staff costs, rent, heat, light, consumables, small items or equipment (under £1000) and training. Projects that bid to a “co-financing” organisation can get 100% pre-matched ESF grant. Otherwise, ESF money will only pay for a proportion of costs (usually up tp 45%) so you will need match funding.

 

Mainly a training fund

The definition of training is very broad and can include accredited and non-accredited courses as well as individual help and advice.

 

Used to improve job prospects for individuals

Structural funds including ESF are designed to get people into work. This means that your project can address any barriers to employment for example, lack of confidence, basic skills and good health. There are no set ways of doing this so projects can be innovative and creative – use your imagination!

 

Research & capacity building activities for communities

Projects using ESF money have for example, researched women’s role in the labour market and improved the skills of community groups through advice and support

 

What is ERDF?

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) –Capital and Revenue

This means you can pay for renovating a community building, derelict land or buy a computer suite for a resource centre. Revenue costs such as wages and other running costs are eligible. ERDF money will only pay for proportion of these costs (usually up to 50%) so you will need match funding.

 

Improving the region’s economy

This can be at community level as well as well business level. Don’t be put off – Your project is part of the Voluntary and Community sector which as a whole contributes at least £500m annually to regional economic activity!

 

Targeted at certain areas

ERDF is designed to reduce the differences in the economy on a regional basis. Money is targeted at areas with very high levels of deprivation – You may need to check that your area and the people who work with are eligible!

 

Community development

Voluntary and Community groups have used ERDF money for a wide range of different activities: renovating community buildings, running environmental projects as well as setting up community business centres and running language training courses for volunteers.

 

 

What are the Objectives?

The structural funds – European social fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as described earlier are pots of money that go into funding streams called the Objectives. Al the information about ESF and ERDF still applies but remember there are specific rules for each  rules for each. Objective. Your project might apply for ESF and/or ERDF from one of the Objectives:

 

Objective 1 (ESF & ERDF)

Not applicable in Greater London

 

Objective 2 (ESR 7 ERDF)

You will need to check to see if your area is eligible. Objective 2 status is given to areas in economic decline. Your project applies to your local Objective 2 partnership for money. You will usually need at least 50% match funding. To see if your ward is eligible visit  www.go-london.gov.uk and navigate to European Structural Funds – Objective 2 Maps.

 

Co-Financing – formerly Objective (ESF)

Available everywhere except Objective 1 areas, Objective 3 is mainly known as a training fund. Because it is only funded through ESF it focuses on people and funds revenue not capital activates. A new way of accessing this fund has been introduced which is called co- financing.

 

What is Co-Financing?

Co-financing is a new way of accessing ESF through the Objective 3 Programme. The Aim of Co-financing is to make ESF more accessible and to add greater coherence to the use of funds.

 

How does it work?

Applicants apply directly to the appropriate Co-financing organisation (CFO) for 100% grant and not to Government Office. Applicants will need to contact the  CFO to find out about the application, timetable and bidding processes.

 

Who are the CFO’s?

In London the CFO’s are the five London area Connexions, the five London Loval Learning and skills Councils,  Jobcentre plus, association of London Government, London Development agency and the Small Business Service.

 

Are there any other types of European funding?

 

Transnational project opportunities

Working in partnership with other European Projects can be an exciting and rewarding experience – visit similar organisations in other EU countries or organise a joint event e.g. a community arts festival.

 

The EC actively encourages projects to work in partnership with other European Project. They will part fund activities including:

 

Education and culture, Festivals and arts events, Exchanges and visits, Exchanging good practice, Research projects, Projects around health, the Environment and Social inclusion, Tackling prejudice.

 

For cultural programmes visit the EUCLID web site: http//www.euclid.co.uk/

Finding out about specific pots of money is notoriously difficult and often requires very tight deadlines.

 

Community Innovative

 

In addition to the Objectives, five percent of the structural funds is allocated to the community initiatives. For the period 2000 – 2006 these are:

EQUAL (ESF)

EQUAL is an initiative which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination  and equalities in the labour market, both for those in work and for those seeking work, through transitional co-operation.

Regional information is available from your region’s Government Office.

 

URBAN II (ERDF) 2000 – 2006

The URBAN II community initiative is focused on a limited number of target areas across Europe. The initiative promotes an integrated approach to tackling social, environmental and economic problems. URBAN II should be distinct from and complementary to other Structural Funds interventions.

The Objectives of URBAN II are to:

 

Promote innovative strategies for sustainable economic, social and environmental regeneration.

Enhance dissemination of good practice and exchange of knowledge.

Urban II Program 113.5 million for 10 British cities including Stockwell and Thames Gateway. Regional Information is available from your region’s Government Office.

 

INTERREG III (ERDF)

INTERREG III is designed to encourage partnerships across borders and in doing so stimulate economic development. Applications for financial assistance can be made for a wide variety of projects. Regional information available from your region’s Government office.

 

Other European Funding for Transnational Projects

European Funds are also directed at specific areas of work eg. Tackling domestic violence, arts and culture.

These funds are for projects working with transnational partners mostly within the European community but sometimes involving emerging and developing countries with which Europe has ties.

 

Is European Funding right for us?

Applying for European Funding is not always straightforward. Below are listed some of the pros and cons.

 

The Benefits

• Valuable source of funding
• Tackles social problems
• Grass roots & Community led projects are encouraged
• Innovation encouraged
• Staff and running costs can be paid for
• Working with other projects in Europe is possible

 

Disadvantages

• Only organisations can apply. NOT individuals
• Projects must usually benefit people of working age
• Some funds are only available in certain areas
• You may need match funding
• Developing and applying for your project can take a long time – start early!
• Paperwork, record keeping and management can be time consuming

 

Where can I get help?

 

More information on ESF and Co-financing in on the UK ESF website at http://www.esf.gov.uk