European Social Fund
West Midlands ESF Programme 2007-2013
West Midlands Councils (previously West Midlands Leaders Board), on behalf of the West Midlands Local Authorities, in partnership with the Skills Funding Agency (Previously the LSC) is one of two Co-Financing Organisations (CFOs) in the West Midlands which is working to address issues of worklessness and improving access to the labour market for disadvantaged people as part of the 2007-2010 European Social Fund (ESF) Programme. The other CFO is the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) through its agent in the region Jobcentre Plus.
The West Midlands Councils/Skills Funding Agency Co-Financing Plan, which accounts for in excess of £200m (including match funding) has been developed in partnership with the Leaders Board and Local Authorities. The partnership approach is governed by a Joint Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).
West Midlands Councils provides the co-ordination for Local Authorities in the region in order to:
- make a significant contribution to the implementation of a successful West Midlands Regional ESF Programme 2007-2010
- ensure that local government's social and economic interests in the outcomes of the Co-Financing Plan, at local, sub-regional and regional levels are satisfactorily met.
- be the main contact point for Local Authorities on ESF matters, facilitate involvement and be responsible for co-ordination and communication between all Local Authorities in the West Midlands Region.