European Social Fund 2014-2020: Briefing event for the BME sector

December 2014

www.wcva.org.uk 0800 2888 329 help@wcva.org.uk Up-dated June 2013

Learning outcomes

To understand:• the key principles and terminology of EU Structural

Funds• the policy context and key drivers for the European

Structural & Investment Funds (ESIF) 2014-2020 • the draft ESF Programme Priorities • the support available from WCVA and the third

sector European team (3-SET)

EU Structural Funds: the fundamentals• What? EU regional development aid • Who? Granted to all regions within the 28 EU Member

States; two areas within Wales: West Wales & the Valleys (WW&V) and East Wales

• Why? To raise the economic wealth (GDP) of regions; with a focus on regions with less than 75% EU average GDP (‘lesser developed’ regions)

• When? Seven year programme cycles (2000-2006; 2007-2013; 2014-2020)

• How? Managed in Wales by the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO), part of the Welsh Government’s Finance Department

• How much?...

EU Structural Funds in Wales 2014-2020

£1.4bn

£300m

€100 m

Rural Development Plan (RDP)

£953m

EU Structural & Investment Funds• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) • European Social Fund- (ESF)• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

(EAFRD)• European Maritime and Fisheries funds (EMFF)

There are many other sources of EU funding, particularly for working with partners in other EU

Member States

Principles of funding

• Operational Programmes (OP) with priorities and themes for investment = the contract between the Welsh Government and the European Commission

• A small number of joined up projects, aligned to Welsh Government policies

• Procurement, not grants – tighter processes and competition to secure value for money

Key features• Added value• Match funding• Volunteer time as in-kind match funding• Cross cutting themes: equality of opportunity;

environmental sustainability and tackling poverty• Partnership Principle• High levels of bureaucracy• Rules and regulations and audit• Rigorous monitoring: outputs, results and impacts

2014-2020 key drivers• Europe 2020 for smart, sustainable and inclusive

growth

• Tackling poverty and social exclusion: 20% ESF ring-fenced in WW&V and a new third cross-cutting theme

• Welsh Government agenda: job creation and tackling poverty

• Operational Programmes and Economic Prioritisation Framework (EPF)

• Regionalisation

ESF priorities 2014-2020 ESF Priority 1:Tackling poverty through sustainable

employment• Specific Objective (SO)1: To increase the employability of

those closest to the labour market at most risk of poverty (WW&V only)

• SO 2: To increase the employability of Economically Inactive and Long Term Unemployed people aged 25 and over, who have complex barriers to employment (All Wales)

• SO 3: To reduce under-employment or absence rates for employed individuals with work limiting health conditions and/or other barriers to sustainable engagement with the labour market (WW&V only)

ESF Priority 2: Skills for Growth

•SO 1: To increase the skill levels, including work relevant skills, of those in the workforce with low/no skills (All Wales)•SO 2: To increase the no. of people in the workforce with technical and job specific skills at an intermediate and higher level (All Wales)•SO 3: To increase the no. of people with graduate degrees or equivalent undertaking research and innovation activities with enterprise(WW&V only)•SO 4: To improve the position of women in the workforce (All Wales)

ESF Priority 3: Youth Employment Attainment•SO 1: To reduce the no. of 16-24 year olds who are NEET(All Wales )•SO 2: To reduce the no. of those at risk of becoming NEET, amongst 11-24 year olds (All Wales )•SO 3: To increase the take up of and attainment levels in STEM subjects amongst 11-19 year olds (WW&V only)•SO 4: To increase the skills of the Early Years and Childcare workforce (WW&V only)

How to access European Structural Funds

Routes of access for EU Structural Funds

• Direct applications to WEFO (‘lead/joint’ sponsor)– Read WEFO Guidance for Project Sponsors

• Partnership approach with third party lead body

• Contracting opportunities

• Project sponsor

• Joint sponsor

• Contractor / supplier

The Engagement Gateway

• ESF and Welsh Government funding since 2009

• Procurement, then competitive grants since 2011

• Funding levels: 325k; £50k and £150k

• Over 360 approved suppliers; over 800 projects

• Helping nearly 30,000 people with multiple barriers to employment to start their journey

• Hundreds of different project activities: tailored, local solutions e.g. Swansea Bay Regional Equality Council; EYST; Displaced People in Action;

• Success measured by the progress of participants: ‘first step’ interventions, but with over 10% progressing into work and the rest achieving a variety of other outcomes

• Dedicated support with managing a European funded project

The Intermediate Labour Market

• Supported employment opportunities: paid work experience for unemployed and economically inactive people

• Started delivery in 2009 – has supported 4,180 participants on the projects

• 268 organisations delivered 305 different projects • 2,151 participants into work to date• Matched with Future Jobs Fund (2010); DfES and

Communities First (2011) and Jobs Growth Wales (2012) to offer enhanced opportunities to young people

• Extended in 2013 to work with specific participant groups: Work Limiting Health Condition, 50+, Lone Parents and ex-offenders; all over 25

Possible ESF funding opportunities

• WCVA ‘Active Inclusion’

• Swansea YMCA and SOVA

• A strategic foot print for employment & skills delivery 2014-2020 - Welsh Government Department for Education & Skills

How Can WCVA help?

How can WCVA help?

• Brokerage and collaboration

• Free training/capacity building

• Networks

• Information – events, website, e-bulletins

Further information •Contact 3SET@wcva.org.uk / 0800 2888 329

• Or local groups can speak to local SET teams:http://wefo.wales.gov.uk/publications/sets/outreach/?lang=en

•www.wcva.org.uk/funding/europe

•www.wefo.wales.gov.uk

•www.europa.eu

Race equality and racism in Wales:Race equality and racism in Wales:

An exploratory studyAn exploratory studyCommissioned by RCC written by Professor Heaven Crawley (CMPR)

Swansea University

Presented by Mrs Sam AliTrustee Race Council Cymru

• RCC is a national strategic overarching umbrella body established by ethnic minority communities and former CRE Commissioners who served the CRE and live in Wales.

• RCC is working towards a racism-free Wales which gives everyone a fair and equitable chance to live free from fear of racial prejudice, discrimination, harassment, victimisation, abuse and violence

• RCC Primary Stakeholders Forum is made up of 33 BAME Communities from across Wales including North Wales.

• RCC represents ethnic minority communities on the Third Sector Partnership Council (TSPC) facilitated by WCVA, we represent the race portfolio on the Welsh Govt’s Joint Ministerial Forum, Independent Advisory Group on Tackling Hate Crime & Incidents and the Strategic Equality Board

MethodologyMethodologyo Research design shaped by limited time and resourceso Began in the second week of July 2012 with a review of existing

literature and evidence on the experiences of the BME population of Wales, design of survey, arrangements for focus groups

o Interviews and focus groups undertaken in Swansea, Cardiff, Llanelli and Wrexham during July and August

o 34 interviews with representatives of community organisations, local authorities, individuals from different BME communities (Jewish, Gypsy and Traveller, Black Caribbean, Polish, Pakistani, Turkish, Palestinian)

o Six focus groups involving a total of 42 people (Muslim mother and toddler group, boys and young men group, multi-cultural network)

o Survey undertaken online and through community organisations and groups (Bangladeshi, Polish, Chinese, Nigerian) n=266

Characteristics of the survey respondentsCharacteristics of the survey respondentso Approximately two thirds (62.5%) female, one third male (37.5%)o 26% Black African (mainly Nigerian), 22.5% White (mainly Polish), 9%

Chinese, 6-7% Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani, 5.7% Mixed and 3% Black Caribbean

o Just over half (53%) describe themselves as Christian, just under 20% Muslim, remainder a mixture of no religion (14%) or other religions Two thirds (66.5%) consider themselves able to speak English very well, 18% well, 16.5% not very well

o The vast majority of respondents live in urban areas (91%), mostly Swansea (43%), Cardiff (27%) and Llanelli (18%)

o Respondents have been living in Wales for anything between 0-1 years (10%) and all their lives (15%)

o Wide range of educational and employment backgrounds although far more professional than manual workers

I applied for a job but it was offered to a person with little experience who I had supervised as a student. What a joke. I couldn't believe it and I left my previous employment. I feel very emotional about the experience because I feel I was judged on the basis of my skin colour not ability

If you have a foreign name you don't get shortlisted

My friend tried for a job. They ask are you Black. He says yes and they say we don't have a job for a Black

My husband was told that he was unlikely to get any employment because people would not employ a Traveller

It is very hard to say something has happened because of your race but I do feel overlooked for promotion and development opportunities. I conclude this is because I am different and race /culture/upbringing creates some of that difference

Racism and discriminationRacism and discriminationo Racism is defined in the research as “discriminatory or abusive

behaviour towards members of another race”o More than two thirds (69%) of respondents think there is racism in

Wales todayo 43% of White and Chinese respondents think there is racism in Wales

today compared with 94% of Pakistani, 85% of Bangladeshi and 74% of Black African respondents

o Responses strongly correlated with personal experiences of racismo 20% and 25% of White and Chinese respondents have personally

experienced racism in Wales within the past 5 years compared with 73% of Pakistani, 70% of Bangladeshi and 60% of Black African respondents

o Nearly 47% of respondents have personally experienced racism in Wales in the last 5 years together with 42% of family members

o Most examples are of verbal abuse and intimidation, especially by groups of youths, spitting, throwing objects (eggs, food, stones), overt and covert incidents at work (including the police service) and school

o Racist incidents take place in the street and other public places (including people driving past in cars), in shops, on public transport, in the neighbourhood and occasionally at places of worship

o Racist behaviours and attitudes by stop staff and security guards were highlighted by members of the Gypsy and Traveller community

o A small proportion (10%) reported problems with their neighbours and community, most commonly when living in areas of poverty and deprivation

o More than half (56%) of the survey respondents said they were worried about being insulted or pestered because of their race / ethnicity

o Just over a third (34%) are worried about being physically abused

I was accosted on the street and [they] shouted racist abusive words at on the anniversary of the July bombings in London. I have been squirted with milkshake on the way. Monkey noises have been made at me

One time I had a liquid thrown on me. It was water but I didn’t know what it was

I was chased down the street and called a ‘Black nigger’ and told to return to my country. All I am is a young black man and I never did anything wrong

The girls are reporting more and more Islamaphobia…scarf pulling, being called a terrorist

If you go into a shop, any shop, people treat you differently. You are treated like a thief. They security guards follow you about, they don’t even try to hide it

It's part of British society. It happens all the time

o There is evidence that racism in Wales is significantly under reportedo Less than 1 in 5 (18%) had reported their experiences of racism to the

police o Reasons for under reporting include language barriers, a lack of clarity

around the reporting of racist crimes and incidents, fear that reporting may cause the situation to escalate and a lack of trust in the police (including as a result of stop and search)

o Two thirds (69%) of those who reported experiences to the police were not happy with the way in which their complaint had been handled

o Focus groups and interviews suggest that most people from BAME communities accept racism as a part of everyday life and modify their behaviour (what they wear, where they go) to deal with it

o People rely on their communities to support them in the context of racism and can feel isolated and excluded

Challenging racism and discriminationChallenging racism and discrimination

In their home country people wouldn’t normally report these matters to the police

The police said they had an idea who the woman was and that next time I see her, I should cross over to the other side. I did not think that was an appropriate way to deal with the situation. They should have arrested her

If a car drives past and someone shouts racist abuse nothing happens. People then get frustrated

Three times I had water and a cheeseburger thrown at me. Straightaway I went to the police. The police woman said ‘maybe you looked hungry’/ What’s the point to report?

You get used to it and it becomes the norm. You get a thick skin

Conclusions and implications Conclusions and implications o Despite limitations of time and resources, the research provides

important new evidence about the experiences of BAME communities living in Wales

o It is clear that race relations in Wales have improved in the past fifty years but there are significant challenges which remain

o There are significant regional and local differences reflecting both the historical context and contemporary migration patterns and trends

o Racism is a significant issue affecting the lives of people from BAME backgrounds living in Wales

o There is evidence that racism is not being challenged or tackledo Reporting of racist incidents and hate crimes to the police continues

to be a major problem – especially as police stop and search policy is sometimes applied unfairly, young people are left feeling targeted

o Key priorities are in relation to ‘everyday racism’, employment and the reporting of racist incidents to the police

Introduction

• About the Evaluators

• ESF Programme • Project Aims &

Objectives• Project Targets • About the

Delivery Partners

• Intervention Logic

• The Project Results

• The Ingredients for Success

• Conclusion

About the Evaluators

• Vibe Experience Ltd. is a non-profit, voluntary organisation working with young people aged 11-25 in Wales.

• Our organisation has been delivering creative multimedia youth projects, engagement activities, and has conducted research, consultations and evaluations with young people for 13 years.

• Vibe Experience Ltd. tendered for the Evaluation of the Raising Skills and Aspirations of Young BME People PII in December 2012. The application was accepted by the Swansea YMCA and the evaluation commenced in January 2013.

VIBE EXPERIENCE LTD

ESF Programme

RSA II Project

• Time Span 01.09.11- 31.08.13• Lead Sponsor: Swansea YMCA• Joint Sponsors:• North Wales Regional Equality

Network • Valleys Regional Equality

Council • YMCA Wales • Minorities Ethnic Women’s

Network • Total Project Cost: £1.4m

ESF Programme

• West Wales and the Valleys Convergence Operational Programme 2007-13 • Priority 1 • Raising Skills and

Aspirations of Young People

RSA II Project Aims & Objectives

• To mentor, signpost and support 1,000 young people from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and European Economic Migrant (EEM) family backgrounds. • To raise their aspirations

through after school activities and other confidence building measures to ensure a prepared and skilled progression into the labour market.

RSA II Project Targets

• 1000 participants in the 11-19 age group by the end of year 2, of whom 300 will be NEET participants. • 50 will enter employment.• 700 participants will gain other positive

outcomes.• 48 employers collaborating with

education/training providers by the end of year. • 200 participants entering further learning.

About the Delivery Partners: Voluntary Sector • Swansea YMCA: Lead Sponsor:- Proficient in project

management and working with vulnerable young people.

• North Wales Regional Equality Network:- Proven track record in the delivery of services to BME communities in the North Wales Region.

• Minority Ethnic Women’s Network:- Specialising in providing gender based support and services to BME women.

• YMCA Wales:- Strong links to national youth initiatives, environmental projects and operational capacity for residential outdoor pursuits.

• Valleys Regional Equality Council:- Proven track record in the delivery of services to BME communities in the Valleys region of Wales.

Project Intervention Logic

• Referral • School Engagement • Individual Action Plan • Confidence building • Communication skills • Mentoring/Coaching

• Informal/Formal

Learning

• CV Writing • Mock Interviews • Volunteering • Work placements• Job search • Supported into

Employment/Education

The Project Results Participants 1054 1000

Exit Outcomes    Entering Employment 41 50

Entering Further Learning 169 200Other Positive Outcomes    

Participants with Other Positive outcomes

822 700

Attended Job Interviews 36  Entering Further learning 256  

Volunteering Work/Work Experience

132  

Part Completion of NFQ Course 9  Completed non-accredited

course389  

Project Specific    

Signposting731 / 2227

500 /

Employer visits 331 / 765 50 /

Mentoring1045 / 6585

1000 /

After School Clubs606 / 4659

300 /

Confidence building889 / 6709

1000 /

CV writing / Applications 207 / 303 600 /

     NEET 50 50

Female 630 500

Disability 11 N/A

BME 766 800

The Project Results

10 Ingredients to BME engagementIn Education, Employment, Training & Skills

1. Practitioners are supported to have time and space to form transformational relationships with BME young people.

2. Involving Equality organisations as joint sponsors was instrumental in the delivery of this project to BME young people.

3. Involving Practitioners who personally believe in the aims and objectives of the project.

4. The ability, skill and freedom for practitioners to engage with BME families and elders in their home or community venue.

5. Involving practitioners with personal experiences of discrimination and an immigration background.

10 Ingredients to BME engagement continued..

6. Involving practitioners from a similar culture possessing similar community languages.

7. Accessible and flexible project times and venues, open as necessary on evenings and weekends.

8. The ability to deploy group-work methods, bespoke courses around non-traditional careers and education awareness whilst still conforming to cultural and religious sensitivities.

9. Ability to deploy mentoring, confidence building and empowering activities in the community.

10. The ability of practitioners to join up with other ESF projects and employers. Increase exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) or the Creative Industries sectors.

In Education, Employment, Training & Skills

Conclusion

• This project success was a result of a determined approach to partnership working despite many adversities.

• The Evaluation Main recommendations will be discussed in the workshop.

Thank You For Your Kind Attention Youtube link: WEFO2 How has the project helped

you

P2 Evaluation Interim Findings

North Wales -Sova: Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire and Gwynedd

South Wales -Swansea YMCA: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and some of Carmarthenshire-YMCA Wales (Newgale): Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire-MEWN: Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire

P2: Unemployed Adults from BME Groups

Outputs

Outputs

Outputs

Outputs

Outputs

Outputs

- Project history- Time (geography)- Time (individual needs)- Language (Welsh and English)- Resources

Key Challenges

- Power of word of mouth- Importance of partnerships- Identifying recruitment sites

Key Lessons Learnt

- Jobs, jobs, jobs- Self-respect- Social inclusion

Key Achievements

Questions?

Keith Burgekburge@ers.org.uk07740 879070

www.ers.org.uk

Minorities are Wales’ Resources

Final Evaluation

Dr Alun Hughes, Director

20 Degrees Consulting Ltd

58

Evaluation Objectives

• Profile participants

• Consider outcomes

• Consider processes

• Recommendations for the future

Key Findings

• 91% of 1,452 participants characterised themselves as being from BME backgrounds

• Most output targets met or exceeded

• Given the project history, the consortium partners demonstrated commitment and resilience

Outcomes

• 77% perceived their employment had been maintained through access to the project

• 18% had job interviews resulting from mentoring and support

• Stories of individuals provided greatest insights

What made the difference?

• Trust and the holistic approach

• Balancing work and compliance

• English language and social capital

• Short qualifications

• Longer qualifications

Key lessons - Generic

• Sponsors need to stress test themselves and their partners

• All project sponsors need to play an active part in project design

- honesty about skills and capacity- geography, costs and ownership- common understanding of aims- clear guidelines

Key lessons - Specific

• Importance of ‘grassroots’ sponsors and a central coordinating sponsor

• Importance of English language components and mentoring

• Level 2 ‘threshold’ training

• Level 3+ vocational training

Dr Alun Hughes

alun.hughes@20degrees.co.uk

01443 866278