Government Says No to Fast-Track ESF Proposal

Small scale projects to improve employability in disadvantaged areas will not benefit from a simplified fast-track channel to obtain European funding proposed by MPs. The Government has rejected a call by the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee to introduce a streamlined application procedure for grants of £50,000 or less. The Committee had argued that excessive bureaucracy and the lengthy application process for European Social Fund money was proving too costly for voluntary and community organisations. But in its response to the Committee, the Government said the European Union needed enough time to consider funding applications. It added that the ‘global grants programme’ already enabled small organisations to apply for up to £10,000 through a streamlined procedure.
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