Tenders open: More than £1.8 million European Social Fund launched

Breaking news: Today we are announcing two European Social Fund (ESF) co-funded tender opportunities, together worth more than £1.8 million.

While the first is designed to boost employment, the second is targeted at supporting young people ‘not in education, employment, or training’ (NEET). Both tenders are 100% funded, which means that projects do not need to provide any match funding.

Further details and links on how to apply are outlined below so you can find out more and potentially submit your applications.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ESF co-funded tender opportunity

The DWP has issued an ESF contract worth £938,385.  The successful provider will seek to reduce the number of people who are economically inactive or not in employment in the following local authority areas of SEMLEP:  Aylesbury Vale, Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Cherwell, Milton Keynes and Luton.  The deadline for your tender submission is 15th June, 2016.  Projects do not need to pre-register. 

Details are outlined in this Contracts Finder advert here.

Skills Funding Agency (SFA) ESF co-funded tender opportunity

Organisations which can support young people aged 15-24 who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET in the South East Midlands are invited to tender.  This SFA contract is worth £900,000 and tenders must be submitted by 31st May, 2016.  This invitation to tender is by invite only to SFA registered providers.  Details are available on the Contract Finder website here.   

SEMLEP will be hosting a half-day workshop to provide information and support to potential applicants. The workshop will take place on Wednesday 18^th May in Bedford (location to be confirmed) form 10.30am to 1.30pm.  Register here to book your place. 

For any further information, please contact Sandra Turner, ESF Facilitator, by calling 01234 436100 or emailing Sandra.Turner@semlep.com. 

Please note, more tender opportunities will follow, therefore we urge you to keep a close eye on our ESIF portal for the latest updates.