A recent report has revealed that the European Social Fund (ESF), which was terminated as a result of Brexit, had been offering extensive support to marginalized individuals.
The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) conducted an in-depth analysis of the ESF, which had been disbursing approximately £40 million annually to various organizations aimed at addressing economic inactivity.
The fund officially concluded in March, giving way to the British government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which has allocated £57 million in funding for significant training and employment initiatives across the northern regions for the next three years.
Unfortunately, this transition resulted in a loss of funding for certain organizations that had been receiving support from the EU.
ESF initiatives primarily targeted young people not engaged in education, training, or employment, along with adults with disabilities facing employment challenges.
The ETI’s findings indicated that ESF-funded projects played a pivotal role in enhancing participants’ confidence, employability, self-esteem, and self-worth.
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According to the report, these projects offered practical assistance, advocacy, and support to all participants, with a particular focus on those who were more vulnerable. The high-quality care and welfare services provided positively influenced the readiness of participants to learn and develop, ultimately leading to sustained employment opportunities.
Additionally, the report highlighted the effective collaboration of community organizations that implemented ESF-funded programs with health and social care trusts, prisons, and other employers.
Participants consistently shared positive feedback with the ETI, citing the wide-ranging support received from project staff, the high-quality learning activities, and social engagement opportunities, as well as the valuable chances to enhance their employability skills and, where applicable, attain relevant qualifications.
The report also emphasized that the lack of a functioning executive and assembly at Stormont, along with the tumultuous Brexit process, had a significantly adverse and negative impact on the organizations involved.
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