SE Strategic Economic Plan & EU Investment Prospectus

Voluntary Sector Meeting

9 September 2013

Sandra Turner

BIS Partnership Team

European policy context

• Europe 2020

- focus on Inclusive Growth

- fostering a high employment economy

delivering social and territorial cohesion

- EU headline target: 20 m less people should be at risk of poverty

- reinforced partnership with civil society

- bottom-up approaches

European policy context

• The European Structural and Investment Funds Programme 2014-2020:- at least 20% of ESF (ERDF tbc) to focus social inclusion & combatting poverty- 80% of ESF on 4 investment priorities (70% & 60% in transition and less developed regions)- a minim share for ESF (50%, 40% & 25%)

EC Position Paper for the UK_ Dec 2012

• People @ risk of poverty/exclusion is going up (from 13.5m in 2007 to 14.2m in 2010;

• Second highest rate of workless households in Europe (17.3% in 2011)

• Lone parents, those with low skills, ethnic minorities and those with multiple disadvantage are all at risk.

Country Specific Recommendations

Jobless households; child poverty; childcare

The ESI funds should support Active Inclusion:

1.Support employability of the disadvantaged & vulnerable

2.Support the training of low skilled workers

3.Facilitate access to childcare services

What do we mean by ‘Active Inclusion’?

‘enabling every citizen, notably the most disadvantaged, to fully participate in society, including having a job. ‘

How can ESF promote ‘Active Inclusion’?• integrated pathways combining various forms of

employability measures such as:individualised support, counselling, guidance, access to general and vocational education and training, as well as access to services, notably health and social services, child care, and internet services.

ESF Social Inclusion proposed Investment Priorities

• (i) Active inclusion with a view to improving employability (ESF)

• (v) Promoting the social economy and social enterprises (possible to combine ESF and ERDF)

• (vi) Community-led local development strategies (possible to combine ESF, ERDF, EAFRD and EMFF)

And…use of volunteer time, simplified cost options, different mechanisms to access funds from grants (including community grants), to contracts, direct bidding and social investment

Social Inclusion target groups- People with multiple disadvantage/those furthest from the labour

market- Lack of or poor basic skills- Ethnic minorities & migrants- The Disabled, inc. learning difficulties/mental health problems- Substance/alcohol abusers- Lone parents- The homeless- Participants from workless households- Women - Over 50’s- Disadvantaged young people- Carers- Those leaving care- Ex-offenders

Results

Greater focus on progression….

•Engaged in job search

•In education/training upon leaving

•In employment

•Engaged in positive activities including volunteering and work experience

Match Funding/Delivery

• BIG

• NOMs

• Skills Funding Agency

• DWP?

• Any others?

• CLLD

• Volunteer Time

• Local match

Why should we care?

•With the right support all can contribute to economic growth

•Prevention can save money to public purse

•It is about social cohesion and justice too

•Concentration is not optional

Why should the LEP involve the VCSE

• VCSE work on a daily basis with disadvantaged target groups/communities

• Great source of social innovation

• It can help the LEP meeting ESI funds objectives and spend on Social Inclusion

• Partnership is a regulatory requirement