Local organisations urged to apply for £20m EU funding

Local organisations are being encouraged to apply for support under the latest round of European Social Funding.

The £20 million package will help projects aimed at improving skills and employment prospects and addressing the needs of those disadvantaged in the labour market.

A spokesperson for the Department for Employment and Learning outlined more details of the package and said: “The services provided under the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity complement the Department’s existing programmes, as they are targeted at the specific needs of disadvantaged groups in Northern Ireland.

“These projects also provide scope for community and voluntary sector organisations to make their unique contribution to assisting those needing encouragement and skills to maximise their potential.”

This is to be the third and final call made by the Department for applications under the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity. As under the previous two calls, applications will be invited from eligible organisations in the voluntary and community sector, universities and Further Education Colleges throughout Northern Ireland.

Following the second call, 60 projects were awarded funding totalling £22 million early last year. To date, more than 100,000 participants have benefited from the projects under the first and second calls.

(MB/SP)