London European Social Fund Programme 2007 to 2013

 A new round of European Social Fund (ESF) programmes will run from 2007 to 2013.

The programme will contribute to sustainable economic growth and social inclusion by extending employment opportunities and by developing a skilled and adaptable workforce.

London has been awarded an allocation of £324 million over this period, as part of England and Gibraltar European Social Fund (ESF) programme.

Although London recieved the largest ESF allocation in England, it is a significant reduction from the previous programme's value (2000 to 2006) of £520 million.

However, the number of priorities has also been reduced from five to two, which means that the new programme will be better focused with more flexibility to meet regional needs.

Regional Framework

A Regional Framework has been produced for London which sets out how the region will address the national priorities and puts the London programme in its regional context.

New governance arrangements

Following the review of Greater London Authority (GLA) powers in July 2006, the management of European Structural Funds was transferred to the Mayor of London; who has devolved the administration of the programmes to the London Development Agency (LDA).

While the Mayor provides strategic direction, the LDA is responsible for monitoring the programme (separately from its function as a co-financing organisation) and has established a European Programmes Management Unit to carry out this function.

The London Development Agency (LDA) has two distinct roles in relation to ESF:

• LDA European Programmes Management Unit (EPMU)
  The EPMU at the LDA is responsible for administering ESF funds in London
• LDA Co-financing Organisation (CFO)
  CFOs are responsible for the distribution of ESF funds at a regional level (co-financed with their own domestic funding). CFOs contract with organisations that deliver ESF projects on the ground.

For further information please email: esf@lda.gov.uk