European Social Fund
Objectives 1 & 3
Guidance for Applicants on Completion of
Selection Questions
Introduction
This guidance has been prepared to assist applicants for European Social Fund (ESF) under the Objectives 1 & 3 Programmes in Wales. It is not intended to provide answers to the various scoring questions contained in the ESF application form. Rather, it is a guide to what information should be provided, and what sources of information can be used to support the development of the application.
The individual scores for the questions have been adjusted for Welsh applications to reflect the importance of the Cross Cutting Themes, and to give emphasis to project design, delivery and management.
It is intended that as a result of these changes, and with the assistance of this guidance, applications will be more focussed, with the additional result that the project supported will respond positively to the major issues of Equal Opportunities, Sustainable Development and the Information Society.
When completing an application, you should refer to:
The Single Programming Document (SPD) for Objective 1 or Operational Programme (OP) for Objective 3;
the relevant Programme Complement;
the ESF Guidance, in conjunction with this guidance;
The Action Plan appropriate to your local or regional partnership.
For Objective 1 ESF applicants, the following additional documentation should be consulted to ensure the proposal has a strategic fit:
Human Resource Assets Strategy Partnership Strategic Framework;
Community Assets Strategy Partnership Strategic Framework;
Business Assets Strategy Partnership Strategic Framework;
You may also find the following documents of use:
Equal Opportunities Guidelines for European Programmes in Wales
Objective 1 Sustainability Guide
Objective 1 Guidelines on Bilingualism
These last two are useful guidance for both Objective Programmes. All documents, along with relevant Commission Regulations, are available on the WEFO website at www.wefo.wales.gov.uk
Useful Tips
1) Keep your responses focussed, and concise. Try to avoid long quotes. When referring to documents, give a précis of the content, together with reference to the source.
2) Responses should be structured in a similar way to the question’s elements. Using the element as a subheading within the response is useful. This would not be counted against the restriction on length of answers.
3) Wherever possible, avoid acronyms. If you are referring to organisations etc. several times, it is acceptable to note any acronym after first use, and then use the acronym thereafter (For example: Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO)).
4) Always explain in the fullest and clearest possible way. This will enable the appraiser to gain a grasp of your intentions far more quickly.
5) It is acceptable to address similar issues or use the same evidence more than once in the selection questions. If you have provided information that is relevant to more than one section, you should cross-reference these sections.
6) Please ensure your answers to the scoring questions are consistent with the responses you give elsewhere in the application, with particular reference to sections 5 and 6.
Selection Questions
4.2 Explain why the Project is needed (33 pts)
“Your answer should fully take into account the three points listed below.
“You should provide local detailed evidence and if appropriate, evidence from a particular sector to support your proposed activity. This can include labour market evidence, local surveys and consultation with employers – including NTO Skills Foresight reports if appropriate.” (15 pts)
What is needed for this element is an analysis of the need for the project, based on information available in terms of clear and quantifiable evidence in support of your project.
References can be at an all Wales level, and this is certainly appropriate for regional applications. However, where an application is restricted to a specific local area, evidence should be provided which is relevant to that specific area. Local and Regional Action Plans may be a relevant information source for this element.
Please ensure that the evidence you provide and refer to is relevant to your proposal, and if this isn’t immediately obvious, demonstrate this relevance in the clearest possible terms.
“You should describe the barriers faced by the target groups and how your project will help to overcome these barriers.” (12 pts)
This would appear to be self-explanatory. However, this element has increased in score to reflect the importance of focussing on the needs of the beneficiaries.
What is expected is an outline of barriers faced by beneficiaries to gaining what your proposal is designed to achieve, within the context of the measure under which the application is made. The way these are to be overcome will be the basis for the application, and may be further expanded on in later sections. Overcoming these barriers is a fundamental part of the purpose of projects supported under ESF.
“You should show how your project links with or complements other government strategies or initiatives.” (6 pts)
In order to provide a complete response to this element, you should outline which strategies and initiatives your proposal might have relevance to. You should also explain how your proposal enhances such strategies without duplicating.
This may be through working with similar target groups, but using a different delivery method, or extending existing provision beyond the normal time available under such strategies. You should explain what the mainstream activities are, and how your proposal will add to this provision.
It may not be possible to identify government strategies that your proposal might link to. Local strategies certainly have a place within the context of this element, but it is not sufficient to refer to the Local or Regional Action Plans under which applications must be submitted.
4.3 Who is the project for? (20 pts)
“Your answer should fully take into account the three points listed below. You will be scored against these points.
“Which of the priority target groups or areas identified in the SPD or OP does your project aim to help? If your target group or area is different please explain why.” (10 pts)
You need to establish that the beneficiaries you aim to help are covered in the lists of broad target groups contained in the relevant Programme Complement at either Priority or Measure level. If this is not the case, you must demonstrate not only who your potential beneficiaries are, but also why you have selected an alternative target group. You should also justify your decision in light of the rationale of the priority and measure.
“Show that the number of people your project will help is achievable.” (5 pts)
In planning your project, you should take into account the likely number of beneficiaries your project will help. This should link back to the research evidence you have identified at s. 4.2. Such research may have identified skills gaps, or gaps in provision of services or training. You also need to establish that there are people out there who need and want the type of provision you intend to deliver.
“If your project aims to target people for development, how will you recruit them? Show that this recruitment process is appropriate.” (5 pts)
This element is looking at how you intend to reach your target group. Again, you may feel that your methods of recruitment are totally appropriate to the group. However, do not assume that the appraiser will be able to make this evaluation. You should explain not only the process of recruitment, but also why it works with the particular target group, and if necessary, why other methods are less appropriate. This is not just how you advertise and make people aware of the project, but how you encourage them to participate, through types of delivery, location etc.
N.B. In some circumstances projects will not be targeting individuals for development. Under such circumstances, the score allocated to this element will be distributed to the other two elements of this section.
4.4 Describe how you will design, carry out and manage your project to meet the needs of your target group. (18 pts)
“Describe the main processes and stages in carrying out the project.” (3 pts)
Describe the key points of the project from the start of delivery. Include the recruitment, induction, delivery, monitoring and evaluation stages in this description.
“How will you measure and monitor the needs of the target group?” (3 pts)
This is not about monitoring the results of the project, but about ensuring that the project is continually updating and addressing the changing circumstances of its target group, and the individuals involved. You need to describe the processes involved in achieving this.
“Describe any relevant experience your organisation has had in running previous projects.” (2 pts)
Experience of running projects refers not just to structural funds projects, but any relevant experience. This is particularly important for new applicants. Where the organisation is new, details of the experience of members of the project delivery team would be appropriate.
“Describe any research you have undertaken.” (3 pts)
This element relates to research into the appropriate methods of delivery for the project.
“How will you publicise the project during its life and when you have finished it?” (3 pts)
Give details of promotional activity, both during the life of the project, and how you will disseminate the results once the project has finished. This is not a request for information about how you will publicise the involvement of ESF. This aspect is covered at s. 2.8.
“How will you keep the project going after ESF support finishes?” (4 pts)
This element gives you an opportunity to describe your exit strategy. You could identify alternative sources of funding which might be accessed, or progression of the project into mainstream activity and funding. Alternatively, you may feel it more appropriate to indicate that the project has a finite lifespan, for example, a research project. In such circumstances, it would be of value to indicate what kind of activity the expected results will feed into.
4.5 What will the results of the project be? (15 pts)
“Will the project lead to any of the following:
· People achieving relevant NVQ levels 1-5 (or equivalent, or units towards them); or
· People getting other relevant qualifications; or
· Increased employability: or
· Increased levels of business and employment?” (6 pts)
Detail the expected achievements of the project. You will be asked at s. 6 for a numerical breakdown of the outputs of the project. This element gives you the opportunity to describe these outputs and results. If you are likely to achieve “soft outcomes”, refer to them here. You can provide more detail on such outcomes at s. 6. 5. Guidance on measuring soft outcomes can be found in the Department for Work and Pensions’ website www.esfnews.org.uk in the Good Practice section.
“How do the results relate to the SPD/OP?” (3 pts)
This element allows you to describe the impact of the project in relation to those set out in the Programme Complements. Look at the targets to be achieved for the specific measure you are applying for, and provide an assessment of how your project will contribute towards these.
“How will you make sure that the project gets these results?” (6 pts)
You have the opportunity here to describe the methods you will use to ensure achievement of the expected outcomes. This will include methods for monitoring delivery against target, and the mechanisms you will employ to make any appropriate adjustments.
4.6 How will your project support and promote equal opportunities? This is not limited to just gender, but includes promoting equal opportunities for all groups. (12 pts)
“How do you expect the project to affect:
· Men and women
· Ethnic minorities
· Disabled people
· Any other excluded groups?” (4 pts)
It would be useful at this stage to refer to the Equal Opportunities Guidelines, available on the WEFO website.
Describe how your project will contribute to a reduction in discrimination by detailing the actions that will bring this about, across all disadvantaged groups. This might be through delivering training to women or men who are underrepresented in a sector.
It is not sufficient for this element to indicate that your project will be available to all. Please note that this section is not about your organisation’s equal opportunities policy, but about the impact of the project on these groups. Your equal opportunities policy should be detailed in s. 2.2.
“What will the project do to promote equal opportunities?” (4 pts)
Give consideration as to how your project, and any publicity which will go along with it, gives positive messages about equal opportunities, and the need to address this issue. Describe any systems you might have in place to ensure Equal Opportunities.
“What actions will the project be taking to encourage equal opportunities?” (4 pts)
This could be addressed by describing the way in which the project will ensure equality of access to the training etc.
You should also consider possible adverse implications, where by its very nature the project may place barriers to participation for certain groups, and how these will be overcome.
4.7 How will your project support regional approaches to sustainable development (development that can be maintained)? (12 pts)
“To answer this question you should refer to one or more of the following aims:
· Protecting the environment (3 pts)
· Careful use of natural resources (4 pts)
· Progress which recognises the needs of everyone; (2 pts) and
· Maintaining high and steady levels of economic growth and employment (3 pts)
The allocation of score for this question has increased to attempt to focus attention on the need to develop environmentally and socially sustainable activity. Whilst ESF supported projects may not have a direct impact on the environment, they can assist in this by increasing awareness of environmental issues.
You should consider social sustainability issues also in relation to the last two bullet points.
PLEASE NOTE: While you are asked to refer to one or more of the elements, the points for this section have been divided between them. It is therefore to your advantage to give serious consideration as to how your project will have an affect on all these aspects. Further guidance is available on the WEFO website.