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… prosperous, inclusive and self-sustaining communities,
where the unique cultures,
traditions and environments are enhanced …
Social Inclusion
ESF Trainee
 

Social Inclusion

Social inclusion is about reducing inequalities between the least advantaged communities and the rest of society by closing the opportunity gap and ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.  It means actively promoting opportunities to participate, whether in work, in learning or in society more generally.  Having this as a cross-cutting theme will help ensure that communities are strengthened and regenerated, that young people get the best possible start in life and the opportunity to fulfil their potential, and that older members of communities are able to contribute fully while also improving their skills, and their future financial security.   An essential part of the commitment to the Lisbon and Nice strategies is to secure greater social inclusion and to make a decisive impact on poverty.  With this in mind, the vision social inclusion in respect of the 2007 – 2013 Programmes is “to ensure that economic growth and tackling exclusion go hand in hand to help people overcome multiple barriers to employment and realise their full potential”. 

The vision will be delivered through two objectives:

  • to focus on: the most important issues that will make the most difference to people’s lives; the most disadvantaged individuals; the issues were progress has been slowest; and the issues where the Scottish Government has the power to make a difference; and
  • to improve the way in which services are provided to help people overcome multiple barriers to employment, education or training, and realise their potential.

This approach can be seen in the types of activities in support of social inclusion which are eligible under the various Priorities: 

Priority 1

ERDF

  • Requiring additional help for individuals, such as young people, disabled people, ethnic minorities, to starting up their own business or implementing new developments.
ESF
  • Focus on individuals most at risk of exclusion and/or who are experiencing poverty; projects’ objectives should include elements which help integration and are designed to support participants in the longer term.

Priority 2

ERDF

  • Ensuring that all groups can have equitable access to the education and learning facilities provided by UHI and its network.

ESF

  • Encouraging skills training projects for low income workers to lift them out of poverty and reduce their financial exclusion.

Priority 3

ERDF

  • Supporting economic regeneration in peripheral and fragile areas to reduce the exclusion and isolation felt by these communities and increase their prosperity.

ESF

  • Improving access to quality learning services for those who are excluded from lifelong learning because of their caring responsibilities, a disability, physical or mental health, the area in which they live, or their recent employment history.