European Social Fund 2007 - 2013
The strategic aim of the European Social Fund (ESF) Programme 2007-2013 in Northern Ireland was to reduce economic inactivity and increase workforce skills.
2007-2013 ESF ex-post evaluation Consultation
The EU Commission ran an Open Public Consultation as part of the 2007-2013 ESF ex-post evaluation. It closed on 27/04/2016.
Programme priorities
The European Social Fund (ESF) programme 2007-2013 in Northern Ireland had two inter-related priorities.
- helping people into sustainable employment
- improving workforce skills
Projects awarded funding
Two funding calls took place to invite applications to the 2007-2013 Northern Ireland European Social Fund programme.
76 projects were approved in the first funding call and 98 projects were approved in the second funding call.
Details of the successful projects can be viewed on the following links:
- First call - ESF successful projects - April 2010
- Second call - List of successful ESF projects 2007 - 2013- second call
Details of successful Priority 1 Government Programme project
| Ref No. | Organisation | Project | Project Cost | ESF | DEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7873 | Training for Success | Programme Led Apprenticeships | £96,781,226 | £38,712,490 | £58,068,736 |
Details of successful Priority 2 project
| Ref No. | Organisation | Project | Project cost | ESF | DEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 848 | Training for Success | ApprenticeshipsNI | £160,157,962 | £64,063,180 | £96,094,782 |
Details of successful Priority 3 project
| Ref No. | Organisation | Project | Project cost | ESF | DEL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104765 | Department for Employment & Learning | Technical Assistance Salaries | £3,500,000 | £1,400,000 | £2,100,000 |
Find out more about projects funded under the European Social Fund 2007-2013
The Making a Difference in Life publication which can be accessed at the link below features stories from individuals about their participation on the Northern Ireland European Social Fund 2007-13 programme.
Management and implementation of the Northern Ireland European Social Fund 2007 - 2013
In Northern Ireland the Department of Finance had overall responsibility for fulfilling the role of member state and chairs the single monitoring committee established to ensure the quality of implementation of the ESF programme.
The Department for the Economy was the designated Managing and Certifying Authority for the programme.
The Monitoring Committee
The Monitoring Committee was chaired by the Department of Finance and included representatives from the Managing Authority, Certifying Authority, the Voluntary and Community sectors, employers organisations, trade unions, local government and a representative from the European Commission.
The key objective of the monitoring committee was to satisfy itself as to the effectiveness and quality of the implementation of the programme. A key element of their oversight of the programme was the approval of the Annual Implementation Report.
The most recent approved Implementation Report for the 2007-2013 programme can be accessed at the link below:
Evaluation
The monitoring committee also devolved evaluation of the programme to the managing authority in the Department for the Economy. The focus of activity has been on assessing the effectiveness and consistency of the ESF assistance provided and the implementation of any recommendations.
Evaluation reports can be accessed via the following links:
- Evaluation of NIESF Communications Activity Final Report - January 2011
- ESF Mid-term Evaluation 2012
- Review of the Measurement of Soft Outcomes in the European Social Fund (ESF) Programme for Northern Ireland 2007-2013
- Review of Transnationality in the European Social Fund (ESF) Programme for Northern Ireland 2007-2013
- Sustainable Development Audit - ESF programme 2007-2013