Development of the Programme

Who is responsible for the European Social Fund 2007-2013 (ESF) programme?

The European Social Fund 2007-2013 (ESF) is a national programme, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the Government department with lead responsibility.

Each of the English regions must develop a European Social Fund Framework that identifies local and regional skills priorities. The Regional Skills Partnerships have been tasked with leading the development of the Frameworks, and with consulting partners.

The activities delivered through the ESF programme will add value to the region’s employment and skills priorities, will complement other regional funding streams, and will contribute to the objectives of the national ESF Operational Programme for England. The ESF Framework will also complement the Regional Skills Plan for Yorkshire and the Humber and will support delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy.

The ESF programme will largely be delivered through the ESF Co-financing organisations in the region; namely the Learning and Skills Council and Jobcentre Plus. The Regional Skills Partnership will oversee the delivery of the ESF programme, and the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber will have a monitoring role.

What is the process for consulting on the ESF programme in Yorkshire and Humber?

In January 2007, the Regional Skills Partnership Board agreed to establish a Task and Finish group to develop and oversee the drafting of the ESF Framework. The members of the group include the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber, Yorkshire Forward, the Learning and Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, the Regional Forum, South Yorkshire Partnership, the Sector Skills Development Agency and the Assembly. The group is chaired by the Regional Skills Partnership Director.

The draft ESF Framework was presented to the Regional Skills Partnership Board in March 2007 for endorsement, and the ESF framework is now open to consultation and comment. A consultation event will also take place in May 2007 where up to 200 individuals from across the region will feed-in their views.