Advice and guidance

There are a number of sources of advice and guidance available within Convergence.

Communications guidance

There is an increased emphasis on communications in the European Commission's regulations for 2007 to 2013. Please find below three guidance notes for communication activity in the Convergence Programmes.

Convergence communication guidance

Convergence brand guidelines and logo usage

European Commission communication regulations

Communications and media relations advice is available from:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
The Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
Mob: 07973 813647Tel: 01872 223439
Email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
Address: Convergence Partnership Office, Carrick House, Pydar Street, Truro TR1 1EB

An evaluation of European Social Fund information and publicity
by Alison Pemberton and Andrew Thomas

In 2009, Insite Research and Consulting was commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions to carry out a mid-term qualitative evaluation of ESF information and publicity. The aim of the evaluation was to assess the progress made towards achieving the objectives set out in the Convergence, Competitiveness and Employment programme's Communication Plan. This report sets out the findings of this small-scale study looking at progress to date and identifying areas of good practice and potential changes to strengthen information and publicity activity in the second half of the programme to 2013. This report is part-funded by ESF technical assistance.

To read the report, click here.

The ESF Publicity Toolkit

The toolkit is essential reading for any organisation in receipt of ESF funds. It:

provides clear guidance, practical examples and supporting resources that can enhance a wide range of ESF publicity efforts.
helps providers and sub-contractors take the necessary actions to ensure European Union (EU) regulatory and CFO contractual publicity requirements are met.

An important focus is on helping organisations to use the ESF logo correctly, display ESF project plaques and inform participants of support from ESF and the EU.

There is evidence from an independent evaluation of ESF publicity activity and from monitoring activity by CFOs and the ESF Managing Authority that a small number of ESF and match funding recipients are not fully complying with these core requirements - which potentially places their funding at risk of being withdrawn.

Broader measures are also covered that focus on promoting the ESF project to wider audiences. These include guidance, materials and practical examples on:

engaging the media, including the use of some core ESF messages
producing news stories, press releases and case studies
using consent forms and social media such as Facebook and Twitter
other resources available to help publicise projects to wider audiences.

The ESF Publicity Toolkit

The cross cutting themes - environmental sustainability and equality and diversity

Equality and Diversity advice and guidance is available from:

Lisa Sandercock

Tel: 0303 444 6547 Email: lisa.sandercock@communities.gsi.gov.uk

During development of the Operational Programme an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) was carried out to assess potential equality impacts across the overall Programme.

Individual investments are also required to carry out a Screening Stage Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) specific to their proposed activity, prior to approval, to show how they will positively promote equality and ensure the widest possible access to these opportunities. All the relevant documents are available below:

Convergence Programme Equality Impact Assessment Screening
EU Programme Equality indicators
Social Sustainability Toolkit
Environmental and Social Guidance for Sustainable Construction
Equality and diversity - investment guidlines
Equality Impact Assessment Guidance Notes
Screening Stage Equality Impact Assessment Form
Full Equality Impact Assessment Form

If you require any of these documents in another format, please contact Lisa Sandercock, Cross Cutting Themes Adviser (Diversity), CLG at the address above.

Equality and diversity guidance is also available from the ESF website.

Good practice guides
Gender equality and equal opportunities
Good practice in helping disabled people back to work
Equality and good practice guide: Gender
Equality and Diversity Good Practice Guide Ethnic Minority Communities
Equality and Good Practice Guide: Age
ESF Case Studies
The European Social Fund in England ‘Improving people’s lives’

In addition Equality South West has produced guidance on accessible communications which is available below:

Environmental Sustainability advice and guidance is available from:

Philip Charlesworth
Contract Manager (South West and Convergence)
Tel: 01752 883 005
Email: philip.charlesworth@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

The following guidance on environmental sustainability in the Convergence Programme is available:

Integrating Environmental Sustainability into EU Programmes and Projects June 2009. General guidance for all projects and investments.

Environmental Sustainability Process Flow Diagram June 2009. An overview of the process for integrating Environmental Sustainability into Convergence investments.

Environmental Sustainability Reporting Form June 2009. This form is suitable for capital and revenue projects and can be used when developing applications and business plans for the Convergence Programme.

Capital Environmental Appraisal Template.

Revenue Environmental Appraisal Template.

Environmental and Social Guidance for Sustainable Construction in ERDF investments.

Strategic Investment Framework Delivery Plan Environmental Sustainability Guidance June 2009. Brief guidance detailing what is required from a SIF delivery plan.

General Capital Build Requirements and Standards June 2009. Basic guidance on environmental requirements for capital build investments.

Details of the Skills Funding Agency's Sustainable Development and Evaluation events, February 2009, can be found here.

Business support

Business Link
Tel: 0845 600 9966
Website: www.businesslink.gov.uk

What is Convergence?