News article
Funding Opportunities via ESIF Opt Ins
01/03/2015
Luton is part of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership who have over £76m funding and have identified six priorities.
Priority 1: Strengthening and exploiting SEMLEP’s innovation and knowledge assets ERDF (£9.5m) EAFRD (£642k)Priority 2: Stimulating enterprise and enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs in target sectors and markets ERDF (£16.825)
ESF (£1.460) EAFRD (£1.712m)
Priority 3: Developing a low carbon economy ERDF (£6.25m) EAFRD (£321k)
Priority 4: Infrastructure for GrowthERDF (£5.225m) EAFRD (£1,283m)
Priority 5: Developing a skilled and adaptable workforce ESF (£26.34m) EAFRD (£321k)
Priority 6: Tackling social and economic exclusion ESF (£10m)
2 The ‘Opt Ins’ The Opt Ins are national organisations that have bid for some of the ESIF funding. They will draw down ESIF monies from the SEMLEP allocation and provide the 50% match funding needed from their own national funding programmes. VCS organisations will be able to apply to some of the Opt Ins for funding to deliver activities. Under Priorities 5 & 6 the three ‘Opt Ins’ Skills Funding Agency, Dept Work and Pensions and Big Lottery will be going out to tender and inviting applications next year. There is £4m for a Community Led Local Development Fund and Luton has expressed an interest in this. It is expected to be for communities in urban areas that are within the 20% most deprived. Discussions are on-going VCS organisations who want to apply for funding to deliver activities need to register with these organisations now. The Skills Funding Agency register opens every three months or so. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sfa-register-of-training-organisations DWP will not have a register as such, but may issue a PQQ. For more information on Big Lottery http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/esf