ESF Project Management including State Aid Rules (WS5452)

Tuesday, 24th July 2012, Manchester City Centre

Overview

This one day workshop is essential attendance for all staff involved in the delivery of ESF projects whether new to the subject area or in need of a refresher! The Workshop covers the critical differences of ESF projects and explores how Commission and National Regulations can be embedded into project planning to ensure successful delivery remains compliant and risks reduced. As State Aid applies to anyone working with public money, the workshop also provides you with practical advice on what a "State Aid" is, the implications that such Aid can have and how, through careful project management and record keeping, any infringement of the rules can be avoided.

Content

Managing the successful delivery of ESF projects can be doubly challenging. Not only are the activities usually targeted at hard to reach groups such as long term unemployed or intended to realise economic and environmental improvements but management has additionally to take into account the exacting ESF regulations – or face withdrawal of funding and even post project claw-back. Project planning and delivery therefore needs to be an informed and managed process which is based on sound project management skills that take into account the ESF compliance issues. The European Commission has considerable powers to monitor, control and restrict the forms and levels of aid given by all Member States to their industries.

There is no precise definition of what constitutes a "state aid". However, there is a very clear statement of principle that any form of aid to a commercial undertaking runs the risk of contravening state aid regulations by "distorting or threatening to distort competition within the European Community". Structural Fund applicants are required to abide by any EC State Aid limits. The penalties for infringing these limits can be high and as a result applicants are strongly advised to consider the implications of State Aids at an early stage.

The workshop is an ideal companion to workshops Introduction to Applying for and Planning ERDF/ESF Funded Projects and Managing Co-Financed Projects. Project management templates will be provided for use by delivery teams.

The workshop will cover

• Identifying the key compliance areas relevant to ESF project delivery
• Integrating compliance into project delivery such as equality and diversity and sustainable development
• Planning activities that lead to quantifiable project results
• Assessing State Aid Rules and  the Issues arising for project management and delivery
• Developing project teams, roles, responsibilities and separation of duties
• Understanding and working with project risks

Who Should Attend?

Project Managers and Teams from: Training Providers, Colleges and Universities, Local Authorities and community/voluntary organizations, Training Providers and Commercial Organisations involved in the delivery of projects receiving support through the Structural Fund Programmes. It will also be of benefit to strategic partner staff from the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Government, English Regional Development Agencies and other staff with the responsibility for managing or providing advice on European funded projects.

All European Funding Training Courses

NTRL deliver training on a large amount of European Funding issues, please follow the links below to view the overviews and scheduled dates for all our EU Funding related topics:

Accessing Funding for Adult Education (GRUNDTVIG)
Accessing Funding for Vocational Training - The Leonardo da Vinci Programme
ERDF Project Management including State Aid Rules
ESF Project Management including State Aid Rules
EU - Best Practice in Evaluation Techniques, including Exit and Sustainability Strategies
Funding for Youth Development through the Youth in Action Programme
Introduction to, Applying for and Planning ERDF or ESF Funded Projects
Management Systems & Record Keeping for ERDF Projects
Management Systems & Record Keeping for ESF Projects
Managing ERDF Finances
Monitoring & Auditing ERDF Projects
Monitoring & Auditing ESF Projects
Preparing for an Article 13 Progress & Verification Visit
Sources of EU Funding - for Education, Training, Community & Regeneration Projects
Transnational Projects - Management & Administration

Programme

View Programme

Facilitator

Our Facilitator has been able to combine her practical experience of business and her experience as a project manager/consultant with in–depth knowledge of European funding and its technicalities gained over the last 15 years through FE, HE, Job Centre Plus, DWP and Local and National government sectors. During this time she has been involved with project development, research, management, delivery, evaluation and consultation.

She has a varied background of project management in the education, public , voluntary and private sector. Working  in FE, HE, Chamber of Commerce, and  Local and National government on high profile projects out of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Through this work, she has collaborated with many partners on project design and delivery, including Government Offices, Transnational Partners, DWP, Local Authorities, Learning and Skills Councils and the local Regional Development Agencies. Recently she developed a Learning Consortium for the Voluntary and Community sector, put together Commissioning documents and contracting for the 2007-2013 ESF and ERDF programmes and has worked as an auditor for Government Office on European Funded programmes. Her specialism is in developing strategies for different bodies in helping the long-term unemployed. She continues to work with Local Councils, SFA, JCP, RDA’s and project applicants in consultation and application of European work.

Venue and Travel

Venue details and travel information will be included in your confirmation email. If the venue has not been confirmed at the time of booking, then the information will be emailed to you closer to the event.

Booking & Confirmation

Bookings will only be accepted on receipt of full payment PRIOR to the event via cheque, BACS or credit card.  Cheques to be made payable to ‘National Training Resources Limited’.

All reservations will be confirmed by email within two days of receipt of your completed booking form and payment in full and will include venue details and times.

Please direct all conference queries to the Conference Team.
Tel:  0845 130 6152 or 01827 63919.
Fax:  01827 60836 or 01827 61428. 
Email: conferences@national-training.co.uk

Terms & Conditions

Please read our full terms and conditions. Completion and return of the Booking Form constitutes a contract between yourselves and National Training Resources Limited.  Delegate cancellations/transfers are only accepted up to 3 weeks prior to the event and are subject to a small administration charge. Delegate substitutions can be made at any time.  We reserve the right to cancel or alter the event at any time.