The ESF Community Learning and Skills Grants programme will provide grants of up to £10,000, and is designed to assist small not-for-profit groups based in and run by people from the community that they support.

The aim of providing small grants is to give community groups an opportunity to access funding through a simplified process, in order to undertake activity that helps engage and progress individuals that are considered 'hard to reach'. Projects should provide an opportunity for people to engage with learning, to develop their confidence and skills, and be more able to take advantage of further opportunities that help them progress towards the labour market.

In order to concentrate the impact of what is a relatively small funding programme, the funds will be targeted at geographical communities of greatest need.

The application guidance provides detailed information about the type of organisations that can apply; the type of activity that can be funded; the aims and objectives of the funding programme; and its target areas.