European Structural Funds, health equity and the voluntary sector

In the context of another seven years round of European Structural Funds (2014-2020), Equity Action has published the report Health Equity and Regional Development in the EU- Applying EU Structural Funds.

The work of Equity Action, a EU funded collaboration between 15 European Member States and Norway, non-governmental bodies and the European Commission), would like to see health equity become a cross cutting theme across ESF activities in the next round of funding. Social inclusion is an important aspect of ESF and Equity Action argue that economic growth cannot be inclusive without more health equity. Key aspects of the funds are for job creation and poverty reduction.

To download the report visit http://members.kwitelle.be/HEALTHEQUITY/_images/final_ea_regional_sf_review_report.pdf.

In partnership with the Department of Health, Equity Action has also produced a briefing for Directors of Public Health about ESF, available at www.regionalvoices.org/sites/default/files/library/European%20Funding%20Briefing%20for%20DsPH%20Dec%202012.docx.

Regional Voices is exploring the role of the voluntary sector in promoting work on health equity in local plans for ESF. Local Economic Partnerships are currently working up their plans for the next round of ESF funding- most are likely to be consulting on their plans soon. There is a big role for the voluntary sector in ensuring that the funds are used for social inclusion, which at least 20 percent of the European Social Fund must be used for.

For further information visit www.regionalvoices.org/node/166.

Regional Voices would be interested in hearing from anyone in the voluntary sector working around ESF with a health/social equity perspective by email at jo.whaley@regionalvoices.org.