In the beginning of January DWP/Jobcentre Plus, one of the two ESFi Co-financingi organisations in the North West for the 2007-2013 programme, held a series of Provider Networking Events. The key purpose of these events was to introduce short-listed DWP ESF Prime contractors to potential delivery/sub-contractors. Provider Network Events were held for all Jobcentre Plus Districts in order to facilitate links between interested organisations. The first networking event was held in Warrington on 7 January 2008 and covered the Cheshire, Halton & Warrington district. The Cumbria & Lancashire district event was held in Lancaster on 8 January 2008. The Greater Manchester East & West district event was held on 9 January 2008 in Chadderton and lastly, the Greater Manchester Central district event was held on 10 January 2008 at the Lancashire Cricket Club.

John Hacking with Kate Smith from Barnados

The voluntary and community sector will be a crucial sector in the delivery of the programme and North West Network held a stand on the sub-regional events aiming to provide guidance to organisations who were unclear about the process, and also to fill enquiries about European funding in the new programming period 2007-2013. The pictures were taken at the Greater Manchester Central District event. If you are a voluntary/community sector organisation or a social enterprise and have any enquiries about the DWP/Jobcentre Plus ESF Co-financing process or if you are interested in accessing European Structural Fundsi, please contact a member of the European Team at North West Network.

Tel: 0161 236 6493

Angeliki Stogia: Angeliki@nwnetwork.org.uk

John Hacking: john@nwnetwork.org.uk

Angeliki Stogia with Drew Thomas from Work Solutions (ERP) and
Debbie Ryan from Working Links