Tuesday 16 June 2015 Making the most of the European Social Fund to promote social inclusion and combat poverty

Welcome and introductions Sue Ramsden Policy Leader National Housing Federation

Today’s speakers Sue Ormiston EU Programme Manager at Big Lottery Fund Nehal Depani Policy and Project Manager at London VSC

Building Better Opportunities Building Better Opportunities National Housing Federation 16 June 2015 Sue Ormiston

Building Better Opportunities Introduction 1.Building Better Opportunities 2.Key Messages 3.The Big Lottery Fund’s Opt In Offer 4.The Application Process 5.Next Steps 6.Questions and Answer

Building Better Opportunities OUR MISSION Making a real difference to communities and the lives of people most in need ESF TO9 Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty OUTCOME 1 To maximise the impact of this funding OUTCOME 2 Whilst open to all sectors, we aim to improve access to European Funds by VCSE organisations Overall Vision for Building Better Opportunities?

Building Better Opportunities Key messages Building Better Opportunities is now live. 37 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) areas are expected to opt in. 71 projects in 25 LEP areas are now open for application. £300m investment over 3 years to tackle poverty and promote social inclusion.

Building Better Opportunities Support to applicants Baker Tilly/Ecorys are offering support and advice regards monitoring and reporting requirements.

Building Better Opportunities Programme Development Funding £950k across 36 LEP areas 3 objectives; Awareness Administrative support Contact

Building Better Opportunities The Big Lottery Opt In Offer A Summary 1.Supporting those furthest from the labour market 2.Meet local needs and priorities 3.Actual costs 4.Grants, not contracts 5.Support available

Building Better Opportunities Application Process 2-stage competitive grants process Outline proposal Detailed proposal

Building Better Opportunities Application Process Big Lottery development grants Outline proposal Lottery money Detailed proposal

Building Better Opportunities Tranche 1 Key dates June/July 2015 – Stage 1 Application August/September – Stage 1 Assessment October – Stage 1 Decision Making November/December – Stage 2 Application January/February 2016 – Stage 2 Assessment (there are multiple deadlines for the applicant to choose from, this is the earliest) March – Stage 2 Earliest decisions and award * All dates are subject to minor change.

Building Better Opportunities Tranche 2 Key dates October/November 2015 – Stage 1 Application December/January 2016/February (to include Christmas break) – Stage 1 Assessment March – Stage 1 Decision Making March/April – Stage 2 Application May/ June– Stage 2 Assessment (there are multiple deadlines for the applicant to choose from, this is the earliest) July – Stage 2 Earliest decisions and award * All dates are subject to minor change.

Building Better Opportunities 1.Assessment and Decision making for Tranche 1 Applications 2.Development of Tranche 2 project outlines. 3.Building Better Opportunities programme management and evaluation Next Steps

Building Better Opportunities Feedback and Questions

Building Better Opportunities Further information

Working with the voluntary sector Nehal Depani, Policy Manager London Voluntary Service Council 18

Introduction About LVSC About the voluntary sector Partnership working with the voluntary sector: the advantages - and challenges to be aware of 19

About LVSC Representing the interests of the voluntary sector in London by: Capacity building, networking opportunities, briefings Building links with other sectors: including housing associations! 20 PDF organisation for Building Better Opportunities & Technical Assistance organisation for ESF 07-14

Key facts about the VCS ,045 VCS organisations Total income of £40.5 billion c. 20,000 involved in E&S (poss. many more) £12.1 billion contribution to GVA 821,000 employees 27% people volunteer once a month & 41% once a year

Advantages of voluntary sector partners for ESF 22 The VCS Value drivenInnovation Fulfil the specification Close to communities Expertise

Avoiding common pitfalls 23

Find the right partner Your local PDF organisation Other “infrastructure” organisations / networks? Approach likely leads in your own area Fill in and set up an EoI 24 Be clear about what you are looking for in a partner & what you can bring!

Key considerations for you and your partners 25 Alignment of values Risk and project management Making the most of your partner Clarity of roles In the words of Ronald Regan “Trust, but verify”

Key messages 26 Voluntary sector organisations have significant experience and skills when working with the people targeted by BBO But partnerships can easily go wrong - especially if you are blindly chasing the money Devote the resources and time to building trust and understanding each other

Thanks for listening! 27 /