Deadline for ESF 2005/2006 funding in London- 5pm today

The London Learning and Skills Councils (North, East, South, West and Central) have all opened their ESF Co-Financed Tendering Rounds for 2005- 6. Over £80 million of ESF is available in London for projects that will aim to:

The London Learning and Skills Councils (North, East, South, West and Central) have all opened their ESF Co-Financed Tendering Rounds for 2005- 6. Over £80 million of ESF is available in London for projects that will aim to:

> 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 and address gender segregation.

Jacqui Henderson, Regional Director London said: ‘This huge injection of funding will really make a difference to peoples’ lives in London. London has some of the most deprived and disadvantaged members of society or those at risk of becoming so – ESF helps to redress the balance and give people a chance to make things better for themselves. Some of the success stories from previous projects are amazing – it is inspiring to see people turn things around’. The local tendering rounds close tonight at 5 p.m. – the prospectus, guidance notes and application forms can all be downloaded from the local LSC websites.

London North: http://www.londonnorth.org.uk/goto.asp?m_id=262

London South : http://www.lsc.gov.uk/londonsouth/partners/ESF/default.htm

London East: http://www.lsc.gov.uk/londoneast/partners/default.htm

London West: http://www.londonwest.org/Discretionary_Funding/index.html

and

London Central

http://www.londoncentrallsc.gov.uk/partners/funding.htm

The approximate breakdown of ESF for the London LSCs is as follows:

London Central £23m

London North £11m

London East £21.5m

London South £13.3m

London West £14.2m

ESF also helps people throughout London (and the UK) who need additional support to enter jobs, improve their skills, and develop their potential at work. Many of these people face disadvantage in the labour market, including the long-term unemployed, those lacking in basic skills qualifications, black and minority ethnic communities and people with disabilities.

Chris Pond, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions says: ‘ESF is designed to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union. London is a particularly diverse area and this injection of ESF will certainly make a difference redressing the balance for those hard to reach individuals or those who face adversity. Objective 3 funding addresses the strategic priorities for learning and skills as outlined in the London Objective 3 Regional Development Plan and looks to raise participation and achievement by young people, increase demand for learning by adults and equalise opportunities thus raising skills levels for competitiveness of the economy’