Careers specialists, Futures Advice, Skills and Employment has been selected by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to administer the Northamptonshire ESF Community Grants Fund.
Jointly funded by the SFA and the European Social Fund, the grants give voluntary and community groups with a turnover of less than £300,000 per annum within the NEP area an opportunity to access funds to deliver projects that support ‘hard to reach’ individuals in joining the labour market.
Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available to support a wide range of activities including
i) initial help with basi
Careers specialists, Futures Advice, Skills and Employment has been selected by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) to administer the Northamptonshire ESF Community Grants Fund.
Jointly funded by the SFA and the European Social Fund, the grants give voluntary and community groups with a turnover of less than £300,000 per annum within the NEP area an opportunity to access funds to deliver projects that support ‘hard to reach’ individuals in joining the labour market.
Grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 are available to support a wide range of activities including
i) initial help with basic skills ii) taster work experience including voluntary work iii) training, advice and counselling iv) confidence building v) job search assistance including the provision of equipment and other help necessary to secure employment vi) first contact engagement activities
Intensive and bespoke support
Louise Thompson, Futures’ Development and Funding Manager, said: “Many unemployed people are simply unable to follow traditional routes into employment. They need more intensive and bespoke support and guidance than can be offered by Job Centres or other similar organisations.
“Often, this level of support is better provided by community and voluntary organisations that know their local communities well. We’re inviting such organisations to apply for funding that will allow them to help very vulnerable people overcome significant barriers to progression.”
Applications
Applications opened for the first round of funding last Thursday (14 July) and close on Tuesday 2 August at 4.00pm. The grants will be allocated during the week commencing Monday 15 August 2016.
Futures Advice is holding an information event next Monday 25 July between 1.30pm-12.30pm at The Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton, NN1 1DE.
Interested voluntary and community groups can request an application pack and find out more about the above event by using the same email address