20 December 2005 - Publication of DWP research report 306: Evaluation of the European Social Fund Objective 3 Case Study Research
The England ESF Objective 3 programme provides £2.9 billion to support national employment and skills policies in 2000-06. The programme is delivered through a wide range of projects. This research provides useful information about how ESF is adding value to nationally-funded provision, including Jobcentre Plus and Learning and Skills Council programmes.
The research provides a detailed description and appraisal of the range and nature of activities carried out by 40 case-study ESF projects funded under the current (2000-2006) programme. The main aim was to address gaps in our basic knowledge of such activities highlighted by the mid-term evaluation of the programme in 2003.
The case studies highlight the wide range of provision supported under Objective 3, across the five policy fields, target groups and the actual services and activities provided. In this context it is clear there is no ‘average’ Objective 3 project.
Crucial to meeting the needs of beneficiaries are the assessment and diagnostic approaches adopted by projects. These were generally informal and subjective, relying heavily on the knowledge and experience of project staff.
The vast majority of projects follow a flexible and individualised approach with emphasis on providing multi-service provision to meet beneficiaries’ often multiple needs. These were very often complemented by flexibility in delivery e.g. use of non-traditional settings and use of specialist inputs from outside the project.
Four main areas of added value offered by ESF projects were identified: extending coverage to target groups; supporting innovation and change; making links with and complementing mainstream provision; and promoting operational and strategic partnerships.
Notes to editors
The 2000-06 ESF England Objective 3 programme provides £2.9bn. to support domestic labour market programmes and policies. By the end of March 2005, over 1.7 million people had benefited from the support of a wide variety of ESF projects. Most funding is targeted on unemployed and economically inactive people, and some funding is used to support employee development.
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Prepared by: DWP Work, Welfare and Equality directorate