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Guidance

England 2014 to 2020 European Structural and Investment Funds

From:: Department for Communities and Local Government, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Department for Work and Pensions, and Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Part of:: European Social Fund (ESF): 2007 to 2013 and European funds
Published:: 16 July 2015
Last updated:: 26 June 2017, see all updates

Information about the European Structural and Investment Funds programme for 2014 to 2020 in England.

About the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth programme

The European Structural and Investment Funds programme provides funds to help local areas grow. The funds support investment in innovation, businesses, skills and employment and create jobs.

Running from 2014 to 2020, there are 3 types of funds involved in the programme:

European Social Fund (ESF) focuses on improving the employment opportunities, promoting social inclusion and investing in skills by providing help people need to fulfil their potential
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supports research and innovation, small to medium sized enterprises and creation of a low carbon economy
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) supports rural businesses to grow and expand, improve knowledge and skills and get started – Read more information and access documents on this fund

Who can apply for funding

A variety of requirements and criteria must be met in order to apply for funding through the programme. Read the programme guidance to see who is eligible to apply for funding from the ERDF and the ESF.

Read detailed information about the funds including the priorities, objectives and target groups and how the funds are being implemented:

Applying for European Structural and Investment Growth programme funds

There are 2 routes to apply for funding.

Route 1: Funding Finder

Through this route funding opportunities for all of the ERDF, part of the EAFRD and part of the ESF are available.

Apply through the Funding Finder.

Also known as opt-in organisations, a large proportion of ESF money is available through this alternative route. Co-financing means that ESF can cover up to 100% of an approved project’s eligible costs.

Read details on this approach, the opt-in organisations and how to apply through this route on our partner page.

Find out more about the different stages of a typical European Regional Development Fund or European Social Fund project (PDF, 1.86MB, 31 pages) .

Programme guidance, forms, publicity and performance information

Managing the European Structural and Investment Growth programme funds

Contact us

For all general enquiries about the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth programme or the ERDF, email esif@communities.gsi.gov.uk.

For enquiries about the ESF, email ESF.2014-2020@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.

For enquiries about the EAFRD, email rdpenetwork@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

For local information and enquiries, contact the Local Enterprise Partnership Network.

Take a look at our You Tube channel.

View the DCLG complaints procedure.

Contents

Document information

Published: 16 July 2015

Updated: 26 June 2017

+ full page history

26 June 2017 Added a link to ESF Action Notes: 2014 to 2020 Programme.
11 January 2017 New page and documents added on ERDF Financial Instruments
5 September 2016 Added a link to new information about the evaluation of the European Social Fund 2014 to 2020.
12 May 2016 Contact Us - email address amended for ESF enquiries.
21 December 2015 Added a link to the new guide to European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund 2014-2020 programmes in England.
17 September 2015 The European Social Fund Operational Programme was adopted by the European Commission on 10 September 2015 and now published.
16 July 2015 First published.