European Funding
European Social Fund (ESF) 
The European Social Fund
was set up to improve employment opportunities in the European
Union and to help raise standards of living. It aims to help people
to fulfil their potential by giving them better skills and
better job prospects.
The two key priorities for the
scheme are:
- Priority 1 - 'Extending employment
opportunities'. This is through supporting projects to tackle
the barriers to work faced by unemployed and disadvantaged
people
- Priority 2 - 'Developing a skilled and
adaptable workforce'. This is to support skills
development and qualifications needed in the
workplace
European funding uses what is termed the “co-financing” model.
The aim of this is for all funds secured from the European
Union to be matched by other funds secured at a local level,
hence increasing the overall level available to invest. In each
area, the Co-Financing management process is handled by a
Co-Financing Organisation (CFO).
Bedford Borough Council and Central
Bedfordshire Council jointly manage a CFO for the Bedfordshire area
as a shared service. Between 2007 and 2015, approximately
£4.4 million of ESF has been earmarked for local delivery
projects. For information on current ESF projects, please
visit our Training
Opportunities page.
For more information, contact:
Mike Colsell – European Social Fund
Programme Manager
Tel: 0300 300 8000
Email Mike.colsell@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
or visit the
Central Bedfordshire website