FUNDING ALERT: New European Social Funding calls have been announced

Suzanne AllenBlog & News

A series of new funding calls have been announced to run projects backed by the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF), including money from the European Social Fund (ESF). Additionally, two previous call closure deadlines have been extended.

These calls form part of the ESF Reserve Fund, which are being announced in line with emerging priorities, or aim to support the response to COVID-19.

We have rounded up four of the latest calls below…

Growth and Apprenticeship Hub Support – Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP (OC12S20P1794)

Through this funding call, the Managing Authority is seeking a project providing support to employers in increasing apprenticeships, intern and work experience uptake, as well as supporting skills development in the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP area.
Activities should be focused on support to SME and micro-organisations. The Hub approach should be closely aligned to the GBSLEP Growth Hub and should consider how to provide employers with a first stop access point for support and advice, work closely with and receive referrals from the GBSLEP Growth Hub, meet the needs of employers, and provide personalised packages of support to enhance business performance and create more apprenticeships.

Approximately £1.2m of ESF is available. Full application deadline: 02 March 2021.
View the full call details here

New Inspiration for the Commonwealth Games and City of Culture Project (OC50S20P1795)

This call is for the four LEP areas of Greater Birmingham & Solihull, The Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire, Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire.
The 2021 Coventry City of Culture and the 2022 Commonwealth Games will be held in and around Birmingham and Coventry, with events also taking place in the Black Country and Staffordshire. This call is to run a project to support unemployed or economically inactive people move closer to employment via taking part in sports coaching & leadership, leisure & creative skills, volunteering, stewarding or marshalling.

Approximately £4m of ESF is available. Full application deadline: 23rd February 2021
View the full call details here

Cheshire & Warrington COVID-19 Response – Unemployed people (OC03S20P1797)

This call is to run a project delivering employment and skills support across the Cheshire and Warrington LEP area, bringing together allocations for Cheshire and Warrington under Investment Priorities 1.1 and 1.2 into a ‘merged’ call. A consortia or other partnership arrangements are strongly encouraged.
In response to addressing COVID-19 recovery plans, the focus of the projects will be targeting and providing support for newly unemployed people with an immediate and flexible offer and referrals to other support where needed. The project activities will take into account individuals experiences of being newly unemployed, new ways of working, and also provide support to improve specific skills in demand from employers e.g. digital skills.

Approximately £2m of ESF is available. Full application deadline: 11th March 2021
View the full call details here

Cheshire & Warrington COVID-19 Response – The Workforce (OC03S20P1796)

This call is to run a project delivering employment and skills support across the Cheshire and Warrington LEP area, bringing together allocations for Cheshire and Warrington under Investment Priorities 2.1 and 2.2 into a ‘merged’ call. A consortia or other partnership arrangements are strongly encouraged.
Traditionally, Cheshire and Warrington has had more jobs than residents, but the impact of COVID-19 is changing that position. Skills provision is needed to add capacity and complement existing business support programmes for new start-ups and SMEs with high growth potential, including leadership, coaching and entrepreneurial skills.
Applicants must show how they will link with and complement the work of existing projects in Cheshire & Warrington, such as Skills for Growth Accelerate and Pledge Project.

Approximately £2m of ESF is available. Full application deadline: 11th March 2021
View the full call details here

Extended deadlines for previous calls

Two previously announced calls have extended call closure deadlines:

Humber Mental Health Support
Support for individuals with mental health issues to engage with or re-engage with the labour market, in the Humber LEP area.
Deadline extended to 11th February 2021
View the full call details here

Humber Mental Health Training & Development Support
Call to provide training and support to employers and employees to assist them in managing people with mental health needs, in the Humber LEP area.

Deadline extended to 11th February 2021
View the full call details here

You can view all open funds and apply to run projects backed by the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) here

Supporting the Third Sector through COVID-19

A series of documents and updates regarding the 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Programme and the response to COVID-19 can be accessed here.

As ever, our dedicated CSI Representatives are here to understand and unpack the issues that the third sector is facing within the current ESIF programme which are affecting their ability to use European funds effectively. 

So that we can raise these issues at government level on your behalf and pro-actively work for solutions, we’re asking Third Sector organisations to tell us their experiences using these funds, in light of the outbreak of COVID-19. Please contact us via info@civilsocietyinvolvement.com

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