European Social Fund in England
2007 - 2013
More About Objective 1 in 2000 - 2006
Objective 1 aims to meet the economic development needs of the most disadvantaged regions or areas. It is targeted on those regions where Gross Domestic Product per head is less than 75% of the EU average.
All four Structural Funds are available in Objective 1 areas. ESF contributes to economic development in Objective 1 areas by training unemployed people, creating jobs and improving the skills of the workforce.
Restrictions
Areas covered by Objective 1 are not eligible for funding under Objectives 2 or 3.
England
Three regions benefit from Objective 1 funds:- Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly - Government Office South West
- South Yorkshire - Government Office Yorkshire and the Humber
- Merseyside - Government Office North West
In Objective 1 regions of England, most ESF is available from the Learning and Skills Councils and Jobcentre Plus. They provide 100% funding through the co-financing system.
Some ESF is also available directly from Government Offices. However, applicants have to find match funding from their own or other resources. The level of match funding required is usually at least 25% of the total cost of the project. Read more about match funding in the Applications Guide.
Wales
West Wales and the Valleys is an Objective 1 area. You can obtain more information from the Welsh Assembly Government.
Scotland
The Highlands and Islands area did not meet the Objective 1 eligibility criteria in 2000-2006, but benefits from Objective 1 funding through a transitional programme. You can obtain more information from the Scottish Government.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland did not meet the Objective 1 eligibility criteria in 2000-2006 but benefits from Objective 1 funding through a transitional programme called 'Building Sustainable Prosperity'. ESF is also available in Northern Ireland through the special EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE II). You can find more information about these programmes from the central website Northern Ireland EU Structural Funds.
Single Programming Document
Each Objective 1 region has developed a Single Programming Document. This is a plan that sets out the specific priorities and key target groups for ESF support in that region. The Single Programming Document is available on the website of the relevant Government Office or the following websites;