European funding to enhance women’s opportunities

Carmel Hanna, Minister for Employment and Learning, has called for applications from projects designed to promote the advancement of women in the labour market.

A £4.7 million package of European Social Funding (ESF) is available for appropriate employment and training projects related to the labour market and the specific needs of women. This call for applications, under the Advancement of Women Measure, concludes the current round of calls for applications for ESF funding under the Northern Ireland Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity.

Welcoming the package, Mrs Hanna said: “The advancement of women is a key element of the European Employment Strategy which is underpinned by the Social Fund. All projects receiving ESF funding must offer real equality of opportunity to women, but this specific measure is a welcome emphasis of this fundamental principle of Europe-wide employment policy.

“My Department is now inviting applications from projects which promote specific action to help women enter and progress in the labour market.

“A wide range of approaches can be supported tackling the obstacles facing women returning to work, such as childcare; the obstacles facing women in work, for example, in the areas of promotion and career progression; and assistance given to prepare women who want to become self-employed. Women can also be helped through training to gain access to non-traditional occupations.”

Mrs Hanna added that this call would complete the first round of ESF funding, under the Programme, announced by Dr Sean Farren, the previous Minister for Employment and Learning, last November. A further round of calls will be made in around two years time.”

The closing date for applications is Friday March 1, 2002. (MB)