Grants available to tackle unemployment

ESF Community Grants for Greater Manchester

European Social Fund grants are now available for local community organisations across Greater Manchester. The £4.9 million programme has been launched to tackle unemployment in the region.

The funds have been granted by the government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency in partnership with Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership to the WEA, leading adult education charity which provides training and learning opportunities for people at risk of exclusion.

The WEA will distribute small grants of £20,000 to eligible organisations in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector between June 2019 and May 2021.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Creating jobs with opportunities for people to progress and develop is a key part of our strategy to making this city-region one the best places to grow up, get on and grow old.

“We are pleased to be working with adult education charity, the WEA across Greater Manchester to ensure local community organisations are supported and encouraged to submit applications for these Community Grants.”

Cllr Sean Fielding, GMCA Lead for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, added: “This programme will support unemployed individuals facing multiple disadvantage get the support and training they need to progress towards sustainable work.

“Over the next three years, the programme will make a significant difference to many people's lives in Greater Manchester, helping thousands of local people to learn new skills and improve their job prospects.”

Funded activities will target those aged 15 and over, from the hardest to reach communities. The funding can help all who are out of work but especially those; who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, have low or no qualifications or lack literacy and numeracy skills.

Round 1 of ESF Community Grants for Greater Manchester opened on 12 June 2019 and will close on 24 July 2019.

To find out more about eligibility to apply for ESF Community Grants:

• www.wea.org.uk/esfcommunitygrants