European Social Fund in England

More About Objective 2 in 2000 - 2006

Objective 2 aims to renew industrial, urban, rural and fisheries areas that are in decline. Areas eligible for Objective 2 funding are broken down into electoral wards. Objective 2 funding is not available to those areas that qualify for support through Objective 1.

Objective 2 areas may benefit from two of the Structural Funds: ERDF and ESF. Where ESF is used in Objective 2 it must be linked to ERDF activities.

Further information on ERDF can be found on the DCLG website.

Objective 2 areas in England and Gibraltar

There are nine Objective 2 programmes in England and one in Gibraltar. The following regions are running programmes with ESF Objective 2 funding:

• East of England
• East Midlands
• London
• North East
• South West
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and the Humber

There is no ESF in the Objective 2 programmes in the North West and South East or in Gibraltar. Objective 2 areas in these regions, and the other English regions, can access ESF through Objective 3.

Wales There is an Objective 2 programme for East Wales, but this does not contain ESF. Objective 2 areas in East Wales can access ESF through the East Wales Objective 3 programme.

Scotland

There are Objective 2 programmes in Scotland, which contain ESF. You can find out more from the Scottish Government. Objective 2 areas in Scotland can also access ESF through Objective 3.

Northern Ireland

Because Northern Ireland benefits from Objective 1 it cannot benefit from Objective 2.

Single Programming Document Each Objective 2 region has developed a Single Programming Document. This is a plan that sets out the specific priorities and key target groups for ESF support in that region. The Single Programming Document is available on the website of the relevant;

• Government Office
• Scottish Government
• Welsh Assembly
• Department for Employment and Learning Northern Ireland