Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme logo
… prosperous, inclusive and self-sustaining communities,
where the unique cultures,
traditions and environments are enhanced …
ESF
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ESF

€52,150,195 of Structural Fund assistance has been allocated to the ESF Programme for the 2007 – 2013 period.  It is essential that the Programme aims to deliver lasting legacies to the region that will extend beyond the programming period.  Consequently, the vision for the ESF Programme is “to contribute towards sustainable growth in the size and skills of the region’s workforce within the Lisbon jobs and growth framework, through developing the knowledge-based economy of the region”.  

There are three Priorities for assistance:

The funds available through this Programme are designed to complement key domestic policies, particularly Smart Successful Highlands and Islands, the Workforce Plus (Employability Framework), the Regeneration Policy Statement and the Scottish Lifelong Learning Strategy.  As with ERDF, the three cross-cutting themes of equal opportunities, environmental sustainability and social inclusion will remain key themes within all ESF activities.   Nine Programme challenges have been identified, each of which is addressed by one of the three Priorities for assistance.  These are detailed in the diagram below: 

Employment and employability challenges

 
1. Targeting particular client groups

 Priority 1 

Increasing the Workforce

2. Encouraging women returners
3. Addressing under-employment
   

Skills challenges

4. Targeting low-waged/low-skilled

 Priority 2 

Investing in the Workforce 

5. Addressing gender pay gap / representation
6. Increasing business /entrepreneur /CPD skills
7. Developing social enterprise skills
   

Lifelong learning challenges

8. Improving access for the most vulnerable

Priority 3 

Improving Access to Lifelong Learning

9. Improving the UHI’s capacity