28.01.03      
Bids invited for equality funding

Organisations and groups that can help Cornwall’s women get an equal opportunity in the workforce are being invited to apply now for funding.

In a change to previous arrangements, Objective One’s Learning & Skills Task Force is making a direct call for projects that can tackle the issue of barriers faced by women in the workplace.

Task Force co-ordinator Andrew Green said that £500,000 of grants (for up to 44% of project costs) is being made available – but applications will have to be in by midday on 31st March 2003.

Dr Green said: “Most of the Objective One funding that’s coming from the European Social Fund (ESF) is being co-financed by the Learning & Skills Council and Jobcentre Plus. The money remaining can still be bid for in the normal way. However, instead of operating a rolling programme, we’re now going to be issuing specific calls for bids that can address a particular need.”

The call for bids to increase the participation of women is the first of these calls to be made.

Dr Green said: “One priority for funding would be research that identifies the support needed to enable women to participate in higher-level training and well paid employment.”

Priority will also be given to proposals that work towards increasing the number of women in middle and senior management positions. Dr Green added: “One way of achieving that will be through projects that give women access to training and support that will give them the higher-level skills needed to achieve these positions- these will also get priority for funding.”

Further information is available through the Learning & Skills Task Force section on this site.

Alternatively, contact Dr Green on 01872 260206 (email: aspgreen@cornwall-county.com) or Janet Woolley at Government Office South West on 01752 635022 (email: jwoolley.gosw@go-regions.gsi.gov.uk).

Editor's notes:

European Social Fund (ESF)
The ESF is helping develop employment by promoting employability, the business spirit and equal opportunities and investing in human resources.

Jason Clark
Communications Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388

jason@dclark.co.uk

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