22 April 2004 - Publication of DWP research reports: 133 and 134 Evaluating the European Social Fund (ESF) objective 3 programme 2000–2006: Mid-term evaluation of the England objective 3 operational programme for England and Gibraltar and mid-term evaluation of the community support framework for England/Gibraltar, Scotland and Wales
Two reports are published today by the Department for Work and Pensions which present findings on the mid-term evaluation of the European Social Fund (ESF) Objective 3 programme.
The report Mid-term Evaluation of the England Objective 3 Operational Programme for England and Gibraltar assesses the impact and effectiveness of the Objective 3 programme in England up until the mid-term (end 2003).
The study was informed by in-house analysis of management information, combined with data derived from evaluation projects undertaken by external contractors.
These projects obtained their data from a variety of sources, for example, by conducting quantitative surveys with ESF projects and their beneficiaries and qualitative interviews with key players.
The main findings were:
- There is clear evidence of strategic links between the European Employment Strategy and the National Action for Employment Plan, and with the Programme at a high level. This shows that the programme remains relevant at the mid-term to the national labour market context and to European and national policy priorities.
- Analysis of both applications and project closure data indicates projects have taken on board a key lesson from the last programme and are providing beneficiaries with integrated packages of support tailored to individual need. Furthermore, this appears to be targeted towards the unemployed and other disadvantaged groups.
- Although the level of actual project activity tends to be less than that proposed at the applications stage – this is generally not by a particularly large amount, falling within the 15 percentage point tolerance limit set in the ”ESF Offer Letter”.
- Overall, the latest project closure data (March 2003) shows that the vast majority of beneficiaries completed their projects (88 per cent).
- Project closure data indicates that, of those who were unemployed/inactive when they started the project, the majority (63 per cent) experienced a positive outcome (employment, further education training, voluntary work) – with a quarter going into employment.
- When looking at the employment outcomes of beneficiaries both immediately on leaving the project and after approximately six months, there was a continued shift towards paid employment, although projects were less effective with people who were economically inactive.
- The proportions of women and minority ethnic participants entering the programme are above forecast. However, the numbers of disabled people entering the programme and achieving positive outcomes on leaving are lower than expected and lower than for other equal opportunities groups.
- Interim data included in the report from the second evaluation of ESF Co-financing, suggests that no group has been systematically excluded from attracting ESF funding through Co-financing and that Co-financing Organisations (such as the Learning and Skills Council and Jobcentre Plus) are contracting with very significant numbers of the voluntary sector and other organisations.
- The second report, Mid-term Evaluation of the Community Support Framework for England/Gibraltar, Scotland and Wales, drew together the main findings from the evaluations of Objective 3 in England, Scotland and Wales. It provides an overview of how effectively Objective 3 has been delivered across Great Britain to the mid-term and highlights issues common to all three home countries.
The main common issues were:
- Labour market information shows that in each of the three home countries levels of economic inactivity remain constant, whilst unemployment continues to fall. There is also a continuing need to provide support to enhance basic and job related skills.
- Across all three countries ESF support is associated with beneficiaries obtaining employment and qualifications. Furthermore, the support obtained was generally well received.
- All three countries have an equal opportunities mainstreaming strategy, although this strategy is not necessarily fully implemented at the regional or project level.
Notes for editors
- The European Social Fund is an EU fund which supports employment and training projects in the Member States. About £2.9 billion of ESF Objective 3 funding is available in Great Britain in 2000-06. The funding supports the following priorities:
- helping unemployed and inactive people into work;
- providing opportunities for people at a disadvantage in the labour market;
- promoting lifelong learning;
- developing the skills of employed people; and
- Improving women’s participation in the labour market.
- Mid-term Evaluation of the England Objective 3 Operational Programme for England and Gibraltar by the ESF Evaluation Team (Anna Haddrell, Rob Hardcastle, Margaret Hersee, Maureen Moroney and Yvonne Smith) Social Research Division, Information and Analysis Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions. The report is published in the Department for Work and Pensions In-house Report Series (Report No. 134, ISBN 1 84388 266 3).
- Mid-term Evaluation of the Community Support Framework for England/Gibraltar, Scotland and Wales by the ESF Evaluation Team (Anna Haddrell, Rob Hardcastle, Margaret Hersee, Maureen Moroney and Yvonne Smith) Social Research Division, Information and Analysis Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions. The report is published in the Department for Work and Pensions In-house Report Series (Report No. 133, ISBN 1 84388 267 1).
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