Evaluating the impact of
ESF Objective 3 on disabled people

European Structural Fund - a beginners guide

The European Union's Structural Fund has three priority objectives. Objective 3 uses the European Social Fund (ESF) to develop people's skills and their potential for work. It aims to combat unemployment and to help people in employment to progress in their work. The European Union has established five "policy fields" as the basis of the Objective 3 programme. These are the topics eligible for funding: labour market policies to prevent unemployment; equal opportunities for all; promoting social inclusion; lifelong learning; and improving the position of women in the labour market. The types of activities included are advice, guidance and support to assist people to develop job search strategies.

Objective 3 and disabled people - an evaluation

For some time the UK Disability Forum for European Affairs and the Disability Research Forum have been concerned that disabled people are given equal access to training programmes operating with Objective 3 funding. A proposal was submitted to the UK Government’s ESF Unit and funding was secured for a three year project that aims to investigate the ways in which ESF Objective 3 activity is addressing the needs of disabled people and assisting them to progress in the labour market.

We have begun to build up a profile of participation of disabled people. There are currently about 3000 projects funded under the Objective 3 programme in England (Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have alternative evaluation policies). The vast majority of these serve both disabled and non-disabled people.

We are consulting with the major players, namely Regional Government Offices, project managers, staff and project participants. Their comments will help us to build up a picture of their views on the issues and themes that we need to focus upon during the evaluation. They will also help us to select 100 projects that we will investigate in depth. Once the project evaluation is established we plan to identify 180 individuals (150 disabled people and 30 non-disabled people) whom we will track over a three year period to see what impact participation in an Objective 3 programme has had.

We want to ensure that disabled people are given the opportunity to influence the project. We have set up Regional Advisory Groups that will meet two times a year for the next 3 years. These groups will be made up of about eight volunteers and will be responsible for providing a regional voice to influence the direction of the project. Any information provided by group members will be treated sensitively and we will ensure that members can remain anonymous if they wish.

The TUC has kindly offered to provide accessible accommodation for the meetings at the locations listed below. Meetings will take place from 12 to 1.30 so that anyone working in the area might be able to attend during their lunch break. Participants will receive travel expenses and lunch is provided. Travel expenses and lunch for guides or support workers will also be provided. The first meeting will be an opportunity to describe the project in more detail and for each group member to raise any initial issues. Although experience of the ESF programme would be useful it is NOT necessary to have direct experience of ESF funding to join a Regional Advisory Group. Members who can contribute their views on issues faced by disabled people in any training or employment situation will be welcome. If you would like to join one of the groups listed please call Teresa Ziolek on 0115 852 6702.

London: 28th March, Congress Suite 4, Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LW
Birmingham: 25th March, The Frizell Room, Unison Centre, 24 Livery Street, Birmingham B3 2PA
Leeds: 7th March, Unison Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds LS2 8NG
Bristol: 21st March, TUC Church House, Church Road, Filton, Bristol BS34 7BD
Newcastle: 11th March. TUC Transport House, John Dobson Street, Newcastle NE1 8TW
Liverpool: date in March and location to be confirmed.

© Copyright British Council of Disabled People 2002