Transcript Slide 1

ESF
Requirements for Bidding and
Monitoring and Reporting
May 13thth 2015 - Warrington
John Hacking - Network for Europe
Aims of Presentation
• Part One – What will organisations involved in
bidding for ESF be required to demonstrate?
• Part Two – What will organisations have to do
to meet ESF monitoring and reporting
requirements?
“ESIF Readiness”
– Organisational Details (Inc. some specific Opt In
requirements such as Skills Funding Agency
Provider Registration Number PRN)
– Insurance & Health and Safety Policies
– Training status/Quality Standard?)
– Equal Opportunities and Equality Policies
– Cross Cutting Themes Plan
Training Status
• Many voluntary and charitable organisations provide
learning opportunities, often with a focus on basic
English, basic maths, ESOL and employability skills,
but may include more specialist provision.
• Do you know which you are?
• Do you offer accredited quals.?
• Do you offer non-accredited quals?
• Are either relevant to the ESF programme?
• Where to find out?(GMCVO/NFE)
Quality Standards
• Examples of acceptable quality standards.
– Matrix –
– “The Matrix Standard is the unique quality
framework for organisations to assess and
measure their information, advice and/or
guidance services, which ultimately supports
individuals in their choice of career, learning, work
and life goals.”
• Work Experience Quality Standard
- www.fairtrain.org.
- “Organisations are independently
accredited by Fair Train at Bronze, Silver or
Gold level, enabling employers and training
providers alike to demonstrate they are
offering quality work experience programmes,
and making a valuable contribution to their
local community.”
ESF Cross Cutting Themes/Horizontal Themes
• Sustainable Development
• Equal opportunities and non-discrimination
• Equality between men and women
• Individual ESF projects will, wherever possible,
protect and improve the environment and be
designed to ensure that environmental, social
and economic activities are mutually
supportive.
• The programme will build on the approach
adopted in the 2007- 2013 ESF programme
and the lessons learned during that
programme. (Collect Good Practice)
CCT – Sustainable Development
• The objectives of the ESF programme will be pursued
in line with the principle of sustainable development,
including the aim of preserving, protecting and
improving the quality of the environment.
• The programme will build on the approach adopted
in the 2007- 2013 ESF programme and the lessons
learned during that programme. (Collect Good
Practice)
The ESF programme in England will be expected to
ensure that ESF programme providers demonstrate:
• their commitment to promoting sustainable
development and complying with relevant EU and
domestic environmental legislation;
• how the commitment will be turned into action at
project level. (that’s YOU!)
What Might This Mean?
(In the absence of detailed guidance)
• In previous programmes this has meant, as a
minimum:
• A commitment to Low Carbon actions in the
project.
• Green Transport Plan for employees and
beneficiaries.
• Re-cycling and re-use plans.
CCT - Equal opportunities and non-discrimination
• The programme will promote equal opportunities
and non-discrimination.
• no individuals are excluded from participation in the
programmes on the grounds of their protected
characteristics;
• services are responsive to the needs of all
communities and under-represented groups;
• support is targeted towards under-represented
communities where relevant;
Equality between men and women
• Not technically a CCT.
• However the regulations say:
‘there is particular importance attached to the equal
treatment of men and women and the need to
ensure that women can access and benefit from ESF
support. The promotion of gender equality is also a
key legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010
and the Public Sector Equality Duty. “
• Project applicants submitting tenders or applications
will be required to explain how they will actively
promote gender equality through the design and
delivery of their projects.
An example might be:
• a tender specification for in-work training should
require the applicant organisation to explain how it
will ensure that female employees will have access to
support, including those who may be working parttime and or have child care needs.
Part Two
What will organisations have to do to meet
ESF monitoring and reporting requirements?
General Comment
• Irrespective of your position in any ESF supply
chain a minimum will be in relation to the
project.
- all financial information
- all non-financial information
This will make sure that there is a complete
audit trail for the project, and will enable
accurate claims and reports on your
project/contract to be made.
• Finances – Up to date financial accounts.
Different situations will require different levels of
accounts but minimum will be some externally
verified financial statements of account.
• Audit and Record Keeping
– “Simplification” is ambition of EU!
– Varies according to Opt In and Status (eg
partner/subcontractor etc)
– Financial record keeping usually very stringent
– Learner Beneficiary Records usually detailed.
General ESF Requirements and How to Evidence Them
Requirement
• The project is on track to meet its targets and
outcomes, including its expenditure profile
How?
• Monitoring and recording of Outcomes and outputs.
• All of the expenditure has been for eligible costs,
with full evidence provided, and that Public
Procurement Regulations are being followed.
• Ensure funding is being spent on eligible costs alone,
with evidence of this expenditure retained.
• Put into practice robust and transparent
performance measures, linked to clear progression
routes for learners and the newly employed, tracked
for up to six months after participants have left the
project. (This will certainly be a requirement of
BLF/BBO providers)
• Evidence all learning achievements or a participant’s
progression to employment, including certificates or
letters of appointment.
Requirement
• The project is addressing specific ESF crosscutting themes, relating to sustainable
development and gender equality.
How?
• Embed the cross-cutting cutting themes
within the day-to-day delivery of the project.
(See details in Part One)
Requirement
• Ensure everyone who is benefiting from the project is eligible
to receive support.
Example of How Requirement Demonstrated
• Collect accurate entry and exit information on each
participant, so that the eligibility of these participants can be
proven and the impact of the project can be monitored.
• Maintain a participant record for each individual enrolled in
the project, which brings together all of the evidence of their
progression through the project together with other key
information like their start and end date.
Requirement
• The branding and publicity guidelines are
being fully implemented.
How?
• Publicise that the services being delivered are
supported by ESF, taking every opportunity to
include references and logos.
• Ensure that all beneficiaries are aware that
the support they are receiving is ESF funded.
General Points to Remember
• ESF is additional money.
• Its is meant to add value. It is referred to
sometimes as “funding of last resort”.
• SO:
• Ensure that any activities clearly add value
and do not duplicate provision that can be
arranged locally through existing institutions
or interventions.
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Could Your Project Do This?
The project is on track to meet its targets and
outcomes, including its expenditure profile
The project is addressing specific ESF crosscutting themes, relating to sustainable
development and gender equality.
Ensure everyone who is benefiting from the
project is eligible to receive support.
The branding and publicity guidelines are
being fully implemented.
QUESTIONS?
[email protected]