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Presentation United Kingdom / England
David Moynihan, Greater London Enterprise (GLE)
The London ESF Programme “Fast
Forward Grants”
The ESF support instrument “Small Grants/ Global
Grants” has been implemented in a variety of regions
since 2001. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
which had not previously been able to profit from the
ESF have been supported by small subsidies. The focal
point was the support of small organisations and local
initiatives with good access to disadvantaged parts of the
population. The target is to lead disadvantaged persons into the employment market.
Particular target groups include ethnic minorities, single parents, the over-55 age group and
other groups in which a high employment rate exists. Projects for the acquisition of key
qualifications receive particular support: this includes the encouragement of motivation,
increase in self-esteem and the acquirement of social competences. Language and career
skills are also improved and local networks and business start-ups supported.
The implementation of “Small Grants/ Global Grants“ is based within national
strategies, for example the "National Action Plan for Employment“, “National Action Plan
for Social Inclusion“ and the “National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal“.
On a national level (in England) the Department for Work and Pensions is responsible
for the implementation of the ESF support instrument and has set up the “Programme
Monitoring Committee (PMC)“ for the monitoring and evaluation of “Small
Grants/Global Grants“.
For the individual country of England, an independent programme exists which also
incorporates the support instrument “Small Grants/Global Grants“. Implementation is
carried out in all nine regions via intermediary bodies which are appointed by the relevant
regional Government Offices. one or more (up to 10) intermediary bodies have been set up
n the individual regions with an overall total of 37. Over half of these are voluntary
organisations and foundations. Public institutions (public bodies or Learning and Skills
Councils) also take on this function, as do private organisations such as business
promotion organisations.
These intermediary bodies are responsible for acquisition and consultancy services for
project executing organisations, the application process, preparation for the selection of
projects to be funded and the handling of finances. This also includes the creation of cofinancing;
although the projects themselves are financed at a rate of 100 %, co-financing to
the tune of 55 % must be generated at intermediary body level.
In all regions, a minimum of 1 % of the ESF budget was spent on the implementation
of "Global Grants/Small Grants“. In four regions, the expenditure rate was as high as
between 2 to 3 %. Up to February 2007, 29.4 million ₤ (ca. 43.6 million €) was spent in the
nine regions.
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