1. Project Towpath- ESF Community Grants

2. Purpose of Programme To provide grant funding to small third sector organisations supporting individuals in the community to move closer to the Labour Market.

3. Project Details Total value of GM Programme £796,325 Maximum individual Project award £12,000 Support 92 Groups, 920 learners Funding available October 2008-February 2010 All projects to be completed by December 2010 Target group: People a long way from the labour market 22% participants with disabilities/health conditions 12% participants lone parents 18% participants aged 50+ 11% participants from an ethnic minority group

4. Application Process The GMVSLC successfully completed the LSC’s PQQ in Summer 2007. Range of Invitations to Tender received in December 2007. Community Grants Tender selected for deliverability, we genuinely met all the required criteria and had the ability to undertake the work effectively within Greater Manchester. Project designed utilising knowledge and experiences from other projects/initiatives worked on. Multi sub-regional approach, working as informal partners with other learning consortia.

5. Getting ready to deliver Understanding and development of the evidence requirements (this is an ESF project with all the usual detailed requirements) previous experience of pitfalls was invaluable Development of systems that are ‘Fit for Purpose’ Disseminating requirements to delivery groups in digestible formats. Region wide systems required that can be used by organisations with varying resources.

6. What has worked well Publicity programme. Visits to applicant groups. Panel based assessment system. Unfunded commitment from panel members. Service Level agreements with groups. Enthusiasm and determination to deliver from groups. Particularly strong interest from BME organisations

7. Examples of Projects English Conversation Sewing Classes Horticulture Theatre Animal care Independent Living Beauty Play and Sports activities Literacy support for parents of disabled children Arts for recovery People into care work Recycling

8. Feedback from Groups Really appreciate the capacity building support Accessible process Can we apply again? Some groups were initially critical that we were engaging with the ‘worklessness’ agenda, however most have an appreciation of reality and an understanding that employment will positively benefit their service users.

9. Feedback from LSC GM has been highlighted as the sub-region that has worked most pro-actively to develop required systems and has done this so effectively that the auditor said she would be comfortable working in our office! Nearly half the funding has already been utilised, ahead of profile giving strong outcomes to the overall programme. At this point just over 2000 learners have engaged with projects, far more than expected for the whole programme.

10. To find out more www.gmcvo.org.uk Click on Learning Consortium logo. Contact Gill Dixon, Community Grants Officer Contact Karen Rigg, Training Development Manager.