INTRODUCTION
Folkestone & Hythe District Council successfully secured £2.49 million of European funding for a Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme. Match funding means there is a total of £4.9 million to invest in Folkestone’s most deprived area.
Called Folkestone Community Works, the Programme – which runs until 2022 with all project activities complete by the end of June 2022 – aims to improve social and economic community cohesion in Broadmead, East Folkestone, Central Folkestone and Folkestone Harbour wards.
This will be done by supporting projects that:
- Help residents to access jobs
- Help local businesses and start-ups to grow
- Provide new job opportunities.
Folkestone Community Works encourages businesses, organisations, charities and voluntary groups, to put forward and deliver projects that boost employment, help local businesses grow and improve opportunities for local residents.
The projects will be overseen by the Folkestone Local Action Group (LAG), made up of representatives of local private, voluntary, and community and public sectors. The Group led on the development of the Folkestone CLLD Strategy and will drive the Folkestone Community Works programme.
A third call for projects has now closed.
For a list of Folkestone Local Action Group (LAG) Members, please see LAG members 2020
For Terms of Reference for the LAG, please see Folkestone CLLD Local Action Group TOR 26082016 updated from LAG meeting Mar 2018
How is Folkestone Community Works funded?
Folkestone & Hythe District Council has secured funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – £1.5 million, and European Social Fund (ESF) – £975,000, for the delivery of the Folkestone CLLD Strategy.
All projects will be required to provide 50% match funding for both ERDF and ESF funds. Sources of this match funding may include grants from local funds and foundations, own resources and staff/volunteer time (for organisations delivering ESF funded projects). Match funding cannot include any funding from any ESF or ERDF sources.
CLLD Stands for Community Led Local Development
The EU Community Led Local Development (CLLD) is a programme that supports community-led solutions to the obstacles local people face. It supports those most disadvantaged on their way into training, employment or entrepreneurship
The local CLLD Programme is called Folkestone Community Works.
The Folkestone Local Action Group has brought together local people to explore and understand the challenges and experiences that can make it difficult to find a job or set up and run a business. This work produced the Folkestone CLLD Strategy.
The Folkestone CLLD Strategy is targeted at areas in east and central Folkestone where levels of deprivation are highest.
The Folkestone Community Works funding will be used to deliver this strategy.
Why is Folkestone Community Works important?
We know that some of the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Folkestone are disconnected from economic opportunities. People, especially young people and the over 50s, find it hard to get local jobs. Factors in an individual’s background or personal circumstances can also present extra challenges, like lack of confidence or inexperience, lack of relevant skills, disabilities, financial worries, or language barriers.
Folkestone Community Works aims to fund projects that will help local people and businesses make the most of existing and new opportunities.
What area does Folkestone Community Works cover?
Folkestone Community Works covers all of Folkestone’s neighbourhoods found within England’s 10% and 20% most deprived areas (as defined by the Multiple Deprivation Index 2010, Lower Super Output Areas LSOA), as well as some adjacent areas to maintain coherence and provide links between areas of need and opportunities. This area is covered by the Broadmead, East Folkestone, Central Folkestone and Folkestone Harbour wards
The total population of the Folkestone Community Works area is 31,486, of whom 65% of the residents and 60% of the working age population live within the 20% most disadvantaged LSOAs. Projects supporting the most disadvantaged areas and the people who live there will be prioritised for funding.
The defined target area within Folkestone is shown by the outer boundary on the map. Please see here Ordnance Survey map of area.
See here for further details. Streets and postcodes within Folkestone Community Works
PDF versions available below.
Postcodes within 20% decile area_FolkestoneCommunityWorks_April 18
Postcodes within Folkestone Community Works_April 18
Streets within Folkestone Community Works_April 18
How does Folkestone Community Works work?
Folkestone Community Works is structured around three objectives and eight activities. Projects put forward for funding must meet these objectives:
Objective 1 - Enhancing work-readiness and well-being
Action 1: Work experience and job preparation for young people
Action 2: Getting people back into work
Action 3: Promoting emotional and physical well-being
Action 4: Promoting financial wellbeing
Objective 2 - Promoting local business and social enterprise
Action 5: Promotion of social enterprise
Action 6: Support for business start-ups
Action 7: DIY Space /incubation
Objective 3 - Integrated delivery mechanism for the strategy
Action 8: Setting up and operating the community Hub
Who can apply for funding?
Organisations, charities and businesses can apply for funding.
The Local Action Group, made up local business and community leaders, looks at all projects put forward and recommends those that should be funded.
Folkestone & Hythe District Council is the Accountable Body and will administer the project application process and delivery of the Folkestone Community Works.
What will Folkestone Community Works achieve?
It aims to close the gap between the least and most well off neighbourhoods – ensuring that disadvantaged communities can benefit from the existing and new opportunities that are emerging as a result of significant investment in the local economy.
It will:
- Support 1,000 people – including 350 unemployed, 350 economically inactive, 250 people with disabilities, 75 people from ethnic minorities and 100 people over 50+.
- Help at least 200 people to enter education or training who were not previously, 160 unemployed to find a job and 189 economically inactive people to find a job or start looking for one.
- Support the creation of 148 new enterprises
- Help 195 existing businesses to grow
- Create at least 98 new jobs
- Help 175 potential entrepreneurs to be enterprise ready.
- There is also scope to refurbish 400sqm of public/commercial buildings.
Following a call for projects in 2018 to deliver these actions and associated outputs and results, five projects were awarded funding. One projects subsequently decided to withdraw due to changing circumstances. Four projects are currently delivering services:
APPROVED CALL 1 ESF PROJECTS
WORKING TOGETHER – ESF funding allocated £230,895
Lead organisation: Social Enterprise Kent
This project recognises that multiple factors impact on residents’ ability to be enter the job market or undertake training or education. This new service supports residents who want to enter the job market but need support to become job ready and find suitable work; or helps residents realise their aspirations to start a training course or return to education. The project offers tailored one to one support from a skilled advisor who guides/coaches/mentors the resident on their personal journey.
The advisor develops with each client a Personal Development Plan which identifies objectives that the resident will be supported to work towards alongside a clear action plan of tasks and activities to help them achieve a positive outcome. This can include creating a CV, using effective job searching techniques, developing interview skills and becoming more confident by addressing underlying issues by helping them access debt services, housing support, benefit advice and much more.
Project time period: January 2019 to March 2022
For further information regarding the project:
Email: m.saxena@sekgrroup.org.uk
Website: www.sekgroup.org.uk.
APPROVED CALL 1 SME BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME
DOCKER FERMENTATION
Expansion of their brewery and bakery located in Folkestone Harbour.
For further information please contact Wes Burden
Email: Info@dockerfermentation.com
Website: http://dockerfermentation.com/
APPROVED CALL 2 SME BUSINESS GRANT SCHEME, MORE TO FOLLOW
HOP Projects
Lantern Launderette
Paper Boat Documentaries
Blowout & Wave
The Little Greek Bus
Plan with Care
APPROVED CALL 3 ERDF MAIN PROJECTS
Lead organisation: Social Enterprise Kent – Enterprising Opportunities
Social Enterprise Kent provides support to social enterprises and small and micro businesses in Folkestone, Kent.
We deliver: 12 hours of tailored 1:1 support
Guided practical workshops
We are here to support you, whether it’s setting up a social enterprise, working out how to measure social impact, manage governance, apply for funding, access crowdfunding, marketing, business planning or a huge range of other functions.
Project time period: November 2019 to December 2021
For further information regarding the project:
Email: p.tomlinson@sekgroup.org.uk
Website: www.sekgroup.org.uk