London ESF and ERDF Awards 2011
On Monday 14 November, the third annual London ESF Awards and first ERDF Awards were held at City Hall. The event celebrated the successes of exceptional achievers and businesses supported by the 2007-2013 ESF and ERDF Programmes in London. Seven awards were presented to 22 finalists.
After the awards were presented, the audience enjoyed a fashion show performed in the Chamber by Ecoluxe London, which works in partnership with the ERDF funded London Training and Employment Network (LTEN). This was followed by a reception where award finalists and their guests enjoyed refreshments with representatives of ESF and ERDF organisations and from the Greater London Authority. Nikki Jamal, the winner of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest for Azerbaijan, who was there to present the award for ESF Outstanding Achiever of the Year, was also at the reception.
Mohammed Rahi who completed an ESF project at City Gateway, won the award for Progression onto an Apprenticeship. He said:
"I am so pleased to have won this award. The best thing about the ESF project was my tutors who were like family to me. My mum is so proud; she’s seen a big difference and is really happy for me. I will keep progressing for my future."
Munira Mirza the Mayor's Advisor for Youth and Culture joined in the celebrations and presented the award of Young Learner/Participant of the Year. She said:
“European funding is really making a difference in London. The ESF and ERDF programmes are worth more than £1billion over seven years. The projects they fund boost London’s small businesses and get Londoners, young and old, back to work and into training.
“In doing so, they support the Mayor’s strategies to make London the best big city in the world through regenerating deprived areas, tackling environmental problems, creating apprenticeships, jobs and helping our youth”.
Peter Stub Jorgensen Director of DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion presented the awards for Adult Learner of the Year and Progression onto an Apprenticeship. He said:
“This is our third year in London celebrating the successes of ESF participants. The finalists are outstanding examples of the 595,000 Londoners who have joined the ESF programme. Of these 38,000 individuals have found a job and 32,000 young people (formerly NEET) have progressed into education, employment or training.
“ESF is about making a difference, providing holistic support tailored to individual needs whilst engaging with the hardest to help participants and with those who may not otherwise be eligible for mainstream provision.
“The awards celebrate the inspiring experiences of Laila, Rosemarie, Mohammed and others. Their stories tell us about taking opportunities, improving confidence, personal circumstances and facing barriers. These are the faces of ESF success, encouraging and inspiring people to develop their full potential".
Angus Gray, Head of ESF Division at the Department for Work and Pensions was also there to present the award of Mentor/Tutor/Employment Advisor of the year to Gemma Fox from Goals UK. Gemma received a huge cheer from a group of colleagues and young people from her project when her award was announced. Gemma has faced and overcome many challenges in her life, and has used her experiences to reach out and help other young people, including many offenders and ex-offenders. In the last year alone, she has supported 100 young people into employment and around 50 into education or training.
- Video clips of the finalists and runners-up (ESF-Works website)
- Young Learner/Participant of the Year (14-19) – Osman Shears-Kargbo (supported by NACRO)
- Adult Learner/Participant of the Year (20+) – Laila Islam (supported by City Gateway)
- Outstanding Achiever of the Year – Paula Evans (supported by City Gateway)
- Progression onto an Apprenticeship – Mohammed Rahi (supported by City Gateway)
- Outstanding Mentor/Tutor/Employment Advisor of the Year – Gemma Fox (Goals UK)
- ERDF Project of the Year – Ravensbourne
- Most Improved Business of the Year – A Little of What You Fancy Ltd
- Learn more about the winners (ESF-Works website)
2011 ESF Award winners included:
2011 ERDF Award winners included:
The awards are a joint initiative between the Greater London Authority’s European Programmes Management Unit and London’s five ESF Co-financing organisations (Skills Funding Agency, Department for Work and Pensions, London Development Agency, National Offender Management Service and London Councils).
Earlier in the day, Peter Stub Jorgensen visited an ESF project in North London.