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Past Events
NCVO/LVSTC Conference: ESF Support for Families to Tackle Poverty This conference considered the wider issues around the ESF DWP Programme for “Families with Multiple Problems” scheme. The event was intended to help to develop an appreciation of the potential impact of the Programme as well as inform thinking about how the closing stages of the ESF 2007-2013 Programme might lay foundations for the following ESF 2014-2020 Programme being prepared, in part, to address the poverty-reduction target of the EU 2020 Strategy. Also included was a presentation by Dr Katherine Duffy who has just completed research for the NCVO on the evolution of recent social policy in the UK and European Union with regard to the European Structural Funds. Information and presentations from the event:
Enhancing Your 'Awards for All' Application Workshop Wednesday 23 November 2011 This workshop looked at general principles in good bid-writing and examined examples of good practice, then took participants through the process of making an application for 'Awards for All' funding from the Big Lottery Fund. If you have any questions about this event please call Ian on 020 7538 4309.
The Aim of the workshop was to help organisations develop an evaluation framework to produce an evaluation for their projects in a systematic way by linking aims & objectives to outputs and outcomes and so to measure long term impact. Evaluation Frameworks can help you:
If you have any questions about this event please l free to call Steve on 020 7538 4309.
On 5 October London Councils announced the launch of a new ESF Community Grants funding round in 5 boroughs which is worth £2.65 million which will be invested in supporting those Londoners who are furthest from the labour market. Match funding is being provided by 5 London boroughs and so this round will be open to organisations based in: Croydon, Enfield, Lambeth, Southwark and Tower Hamlets. LVSTC held several workhops to help groups with the application process for Community Grants, which provided information about the programme and eligibility criteria, and a detailed review of the application form.
LVSTC organised an early morning workshop to look at ways in which voluntary and community organisations, working with minority groups in London, can develop informal and formal learning programmes to pave the way to projects, which may later attract support from the European Social Fund. The workshop looked at the ways in which ESF projects, led by the third sector, have spread across London in a pattern that reflects the pattern of poverty, as portrayed in London's Poverty Profile by Trust for London. Some consideration was given to comparing this map of provision with recent research by the Financial Times on the geographical pattern of rioting during the summer. The workshop then looked at some of the opportunities opening up for informal adult & community education with the help of Simon Beer from the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education, which is helping the Government to complete their latest Consultation in this area. Many workshop participants then stayed on for the Annual Conference of the European Anti-Poverty Network: “Getting out of the Crisis Together” :
Information from the event:
The ‘New' Skills Funding Agency Workshop Tuesday 1 November 2011 The Skills Funding Agency (SFA) has restructured to establish a much simpler, self-sustaining funding system. This workshop introduced the new structure the plans for funding for the future. There was also a voluntary sector training provider who talked about their experiences of working with the SFA, and a section on partnership opportunities and tools such as the LVSTC Partnership Portal. Presentations from the event:
London Councils’ ESF 15 Boroughs Programme – Supplementary Application Workshop London Councils is inviting proposals for the London Councils European Social Fund co-financing programme 2011-15. Fifteen boroughs have provided funding to be matched with ESF to create a £11.3 million programme. Presentation from the event:
Department for Work & Pensions Co-financing:
Tuesday 23 August 2011 In the Government's own words: “The focus of this provision will be on providing a whole family approach, making support available to individual members across the generations. This provision must also contribute to and add value to wider family support”. As with the Work Programme, delivery will be through the Framework comprising the Prime Contractors identified as preferred bidders. Given the sensitivity of this area of intervention, Local Authorities have been identified as the key source for identifying the beneficiary “families”. Historically, many of these Councils have already involved a wide range of voluntary and community organisations in the development of local service provision. Over recent months, the Primes have been making contact with Local Authorities and third sector providers in assembling their supply chains. This workshop offered a “late-shopping” opportunity where lingering gaps in the above supply chains can be plugged. A forum facility, supported by an adapted LVSTC Partnership Portal, was available for voluntary and community sector groups to meet the Primes. Such contact may lead to continuing dialogue beyond the Tendering Deadline as the Programme adjusts into the future to meet unmet needs. The workshop also included a plenary session focusing on the wider issues around this family intervention scheme. This was intended to help to develop an appreciation of the potential impact of the Programme as well as inform thinking about how the closing stages of the ESF 2007-2013 Programme might lay foundations for the following ESF 2014-2020 Programme being prepared, in part, to address the poverty-reduction target of the EU 2020 Strategy.
Engaging Employers & the Private Sector These workshops were for voluntary and community sector providers interested in the European Social Fund (ESF) and wishing to develop links with employers and the private sector. The 1st session was led by John Hills (consultant) who facilitated an enterprising initiative with many of the tenants of Canary Wharf to provide a direct cross-sector networking link between social enterprises and other groups working in the third sector, offering a really important opportunity to obtain contracts and orders. In this way, the involvement of a Local Council, via Section 106 Agreements, encouraged future tenants of major developments to be more aware of services and goods that could be provided locally by the third sector. The 2nd session explored the area of specialist job brokerage with the help of Wise Owls, which has developed Equality Recruitment as the only national website that reaches out to all the groups as defined by government under the equality banner. In addition to the unique website, the service offers hundreds of vacancies through an Equality Employers Guide, which links directly to a recruitment page, as well as to vacancies placed by employers on the site itself. This part of the workshop concentrated on working with employers to develop services for those seeking employment. Information from the events: Wise Owls Equality Recruitment site: Health & Employability LVSTC held this event to examine the wider issues around the Coalition Government's proposals to extend the Work Programme, with ESF, to involve people on Incapacity Benefit and Income Support on a “voluntary” basis. It also considered other aspects of the Government policies for Welfare Reform. With the help of Michael Fothergill from the WILLOW Project at CRISIS UK, this networking opportunity helped shed light on the difficult challenges of tackling worklessness. This event offered:
For more information, please contact Ingrid at LVSTC on 020 7538 4309 or by email at ingridb@lvstc.org.uk. Information from the event:
The WILLOW Project at Crisis:
Partnership Development (West London Package Area) Partnership Development (East London Package Area) The aim of these joint events was to offer policy background, the latest funding information and the opportunity to network for Local Authority representatives, community and voluntary sector providers and DWP prime contractors. In addition to the focus on the DWP ESF Programme “families with multiple problems”, there was a wider look at overall welfare to work policy and delivery mechanisms. These initial two events were planned to separately consider each of the current Contract Package Areas (London West & London East), in recognition that the DWP/ESF funding will be channelled through the existing Work Programme Framework. Participants were asked to consider in advance their offer to other interested providers. The LVSTC Partnership Portal will be customised and available to assist in the advance collection of this data in the near future. The events included the policy background including:
In following up issues from the plenary, the task was to explore the various questions raised by the DWP “Call for Evidence: ESF support for families with multiple problems” which were looked at in discussion sessions. Documents from the 8 June event:
Financial Planning in ESF The aim of this workshop was to strengthen the capacity of ESF project managers and finance officers in the preparation, managing and monitoring of budgets in order to enhance the governance and accountability mechanisms of projects. The workshop included:
For more information, please contact Ian ianf@lvstc.org.uk at LVSTC.
Governance & Management The workshop included information on:
For more information, please contact Geoff geoffr@lvstc.org.uk at LVSTC. Information from the event:
LVSTC organised this event to take place during Adult Learners' Week, to reflect on latest developments with the European Social Fund across Europe, England and London, in particular. For full details and downloads, please see the dedicated event page: Tackling Exclusion and Poverty event page
This workshop was run with Anthea Cooke from Inukshuk Consultancy who have been guiding the London Health Commission to help reduce health inequalities and improve the health and well-being of all Londoners. The workshop offered support to groups interested in ESF to incorporate health as a cross-cutting theme into their projects and to monitor impact on factors likely to affect the health and well-being of beneficiaries. With the help of the purpose-built Framework tool developed in conjunction with the Mayor's Health Commission, the focus was on showing how current and future ESF providers can promote health through their projects. For more information, please contact Ian Foster ianf@lvstc.org.uk at LVSTC. Documents from this event:
ESF and The Work Programme This workshop looked at opportunities for funding within the current rounds of ESF and possible other funding sources. We looked at the Prime Contracting Model within the Work Programme and the pricing implications for top sliced funding with a middle tier of administration. The workshop stressed the importance of proper pricing of services to make contracts viable and the inherent risks to the cash flow of organisations as a consequence of output related funding. We used the Rocket Science Cash Flow tool to demonstrate the risks. Presentations took place from Primes, Sub-contractors, and Specialist Providers. Following the workshop LVSTC offered all those who attend a 1-to-1 surgery on pricing and the implementation of the Cash flow tool either at their premises or at LVSTC. For more information, please contact Steve White stevegw@lvstc.org.uk at LVSTC. Documents from this event:
Linking Ethnic Minority Groups LVSTC organised this event to look at issues around linking ethic minority groups to the ESF in London, and how providers can involve those furthest from the labour market and those at greatest risk. We looked at London Enriched, the Mayor's Strategy for Refugee and Migrant Integration. This vision sees refugees and migrants living in security and dignity, sharing with all Londoners the same chances for a decent quality of life and the opportunity to contribute to London and its development. The meeting also had input from NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education). NIACE projects have highlighted the impact adult learning provision can have to help refugees and migrants. Also, as a champion of race equality, NIACE challenges those policies which adversely affect black and minority ethnic (BME) groups and works to raise the profile of learning for BME adults. In particular the workshop looked at:
For more information, please contact Ingrid ingridb@lvstc.org.uk at LVSTC. Documents from this event:
2010 Events
2010 The European Year Against Poverty events A series of events took place to mark 2010 The European Year Against Poverty (EY2010) and more information is available from the EY2010 events page.
Skills for Economic Inclusion Network (SKEIN) events Enhancing your Application: Reaching Communities The SKEIN team ran free workshops throughout November to look at the process of making an application for the Reaching Communities funding programme, which focused primarily on completing the outline proposal form. They covered the key features of this funding stream and gave participants a greater understanding of exactly what the Big Lottery Fund are looking for in applications, how to plan a project well and writing about and identifying need. For more information, email ianf@lvstc.org.uk or geoffr@lvstc.org.uk or call 020 7538 4309.
Into 2010, The European Year Against Poverty
This event was held in anticipation of 2010 The European Year Against Poverty. For more details, please see the page dedicated to the event: Into 2010 The European Year Against Poverty event
Seeds of Inclusion: Conference and Networking Event The London ESF Story
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