European Structural Funds are the main route through which funding is channelled. The European Commission collects contributions from each member state and distributes it according to the current agreement through various ‘structural policy financial instruments’ called Structural Funds. The two key structural funds relevant for voluntary and community groups are:
European Social Fund (ESF)
ESF aims to put people into employment by developing skills and training and by promoting social inclusion and entrepreneurship. ESF is mainly focused on people. It is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions and will mostly be spent through Job Centre plus and the Learning and Skills Council on three areas:
- extending Employment Opportunities
- developing a skilled and adaptable workforce
- technical assistance.
Although administered nationally there will be some regional flexibility, influenced by Regional Economic Strategies and Regional Skills Partnerships.
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
ERDF aims to reduce socio-economic imbalances between regions of Europe through economic regeneration and local development. ERDF is mainly focused on physical infrastructure like building new roads, factories and business parks.
The Department for Communities and Local Government is responsible for the overall management of ERDF programmes in England but the day to day responsibility for delivering programmes is delegated to the regional Government Offices.
