European Social Fund and Match Funding

What is ESF and ‘Match Funding’?

The European Social Fund supports activities to extend employment opportunities and develop a skilled workforce.

Skills Funding Agency programmes funded for Adult learners under the Adult Education Budget (AEB), 16 – 18 Apprenticeships and Adult Apprenticeships may be part financed by match funding through the European Social Fund (ESF).

The Skills Funding Agency is an ESF co-financing opt-in organisation delivering a programme of activity to tackle worklessness and workplace skills issues.

In order to draw down ESF funds for projects the SFA must prove funding an equal amount of similar activity from its other budgets. This is known as ‘Match Funding’.

What support is available for Newbury College participants in 2016-17?

Newbury College is part of a number of ESF projects in 2016-17.

‘Elevate Berkshire’ is a programme which aims to support young people aged 16 – 24 years, who are unemployed or economically inactive to get the advice and support they need to get access to meaningful employment and education opportunities.