{"id":5430,"date":"2025-06-24T17:20:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T16:20:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/?page_id=5430"},"modified":"2026-03-19T14:10:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T14:10:17","slug":"essential-skills-devon-grant-scheme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/funding-and-research\/essential-skills-devon-grant-scheme\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential Skills Devon &#8211; closed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5435 size-slideshow-content\" src=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/68\/2025\/06\/Screenshot-2025-06-24-172324-570x229.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"570\" height=\"229\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Introduction and background<\/h3>\n<p>The Essential Skills Devon Programme has been made possible through the <strong>UK Government\u2019s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)<\/strong> awarded to the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, this programme supports <strong>community-led projects<\/strong>\u00a0that help individuals aged 16 and over overcome barriers to learning. The focus is on building essential skills in\u00a0<strong>literacy, numeracy, digital capability<\/strong>, and\u00a0<strong>English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>Purpose of the Essential Skills Devon Programme<\/h3>\n<p>The programme aims to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Remove barriers to adult learning<\/li>\n<li>Support employment and economic participation<\/li>\n<li>Promote social inclusion and independent living<\/li>\n<li>Re-engage young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>How much can be applied for?<\/h3>\n<p>The minimum grant that can be applied for is \u00a320,000 the maximum grant that can applied for is \u00a360,000.<\/p>\n<h3>Widening Skills Delivery<\/h3>\n<p>We\u2019re looking for innovative projects\u00a0 designed to complement, rather than duplicate, existing adult education and skills provision in Devon. While Devon County Council and Learn Devon already offer a broad range of English, maths, digital, and ESOL courses, this programme targets underserved groups and geographies, that can access\u00a0 innovative, community-led delivery models that address persistent barriers to engagement<\/p>\n<p>Organisations can apply for funding under t<strong>hree key themes:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\"><table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" width=\"601\">Essential Skills Devon Grant Scheme \u2013 Project Themes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">1<\/td>\n<td width=\"554\">\n<p><strong>Skills for Work and Economic Participation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This theme focuses on equipping individuals with the essential English, maths, and digital skills needed to access, sustain, and progress in employment. It supports learners in developing the confidence and competencies required to navigate the modern workplace, apply for jobs, and adapt to evolving labour market demands.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">2<\/td>\n<td width=\"554\">\n<p><strong>Pathways for Youth \u2013 Re-engaging NEETs Through Skills and Support<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This theme is focused on re-engaging young people aged 16\u201324 who are not currently in education, employment, or training. It aims to build their confidence, motivation, and foundational skills through tailored, youth-friendly learning opportunities and holistic support.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"47\">3<\/td>\n<td width=\"554\">\n<p><strong>Foundations for Independent Living and Social Inclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This theme aims to build the core skills individuals need to live independently, engage with services, and participate fully in their communities. It targets those who may be socially isolated, digitally excluded, or lacking the basic skills to manage daily life confidently.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>Projects must be delivered within the\u00a0<strong>Devon County Council administrative area<\/strong>, including:\u00a0<strong>Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge, and West Devon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3>Who can apply?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Private businesses.<\/li>\n<li>Public organisations.<\/li>\n<li>Voluntary organisations\/agencies.<\/li>\n<li>Charities.<\/li>\n<li>Community groups \/ CICs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Essential Skills projects may be delivered by a consortium of eligible project deliverers. If there is more than one organisation applying to deliver a project, a lead organisation must be selected to become the lead applicant with the remaining organisation(s) acting as delivery partner(s). In this situation the applicant would be responsible and liable for the delivery partner(s) and must ensure the project operates and delivers as outlined in the application submitted.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Closed for applications 14 July 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>For more information click on the tabs shown below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"tabs\"><ul class=\"tabs\" data-responsive-accordion-tabs=\"accordion medium-tabs large-tabs\"  role=\"tablist\" id=\"tablist\" data-multi-expand=\"true\" data-allow-all-closed=\"true\" ><li role=\"presentation\" class=\" is-active item-0 tabs-title\" >\r\n                <a role=\"tab\" href=\"#t0\" aria-controls=\"0\" aria-selected=\"true\">Eligible Costs <\/a>\r\n                <\/li><li role=\"presentation\" class=\" item-1 tabs-title\" >\r\n                <a role=\"tab\" href=\"#t1\" aria-controls=\"1\">Non eligible costs <\/a>\r\n                <\/li><li role=\"presentation\" class=\" item-2 tabs-title\" >\r\n                <a role=\"tab\" href=\"#t2\" aria-controls=\"2\">Paying for your project <\/a>\r\n                <\/li><li role=\"presentation\" class=\" item-3 tabs-title\" >\r\n                <a role=\"tab\" href=\"#t3\" aria-controls=\"3\">Timescales<\/a>\r\n                <\/li><li role=\"presentation\" class=\" item-4 tabs-title\" >\r\n                <a role=\"tab\" href=\"#t4\" aria-controls=\"4\">Beneficiaries <\/a>\r\n                <\/li><li role=\"presentation\" class=\" item-5 tabs-title\" >\r\n                <a role=\"tab\" href=\"#t5\" aria-controls=\"5\">Preparing an application<\/a>\r\n                <\/li><li role=\"presentation\" class=\" item-6 tabs-title\" >\r\n                <a role=\"tab\" href=\"#t6\" aria-controls=\"6\">The Application Process <\/a>\r\n                <\/li><li role=\"presentation\" class=\" item-7 tabs-title\" >\r\n                <a role=\"tab\" href=\"#t7\" aria-controls=\"7\">What happens after Submission of a Full Application?<\/a>\r\n                <\/li><\/ul><div class=\"tabs-content\" data-tabs-content=\"tablist\"><div id=\"t0\" class=\"tabs-panel  is-active\"><div class=\"content-box section-box\"><p>The following costs are eligible project costs.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Staff costs \u2013 salaries, National Insurance, and superannuation (pension) contributions<\/li>\n<li>Training costs including:\n<ul>\n<li>trainer salary<\/li>\n<li>training materials<\/li>\n<li>training systems and licences where necessary and well justified<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Costs of business travel, subsistence, and accommodation<\/li>\n<li>Contractors and consultants procured to:\n<ul>\n<li>deliver project activity<\/li>\n<li>undertake evaluation work<\/li>\n<li>undertake audit work if requested by the Secretary of State<\/li>\n<li>undertake feasibility studies and\/or market research to inform potential future projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Marketing and publicity costs<\/li>\n<li>Training participant costs, for example, allowances and travel expenses<\/li>\n<li>Dependent care costs of training participants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"t1\" class=\"tabs-panel \"><div class=\"content-box section-box\"><p>The following costs<strong> are not<\/strong> eligible project costs.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Any cost incurred, prior to the start date of the proposed project.<\/li>\n<li>Capital expenditures and spending on the purchase of assets, for example buildings, furniture, fittings. This includes the purchase of information technology that is treated as capital expenditure for accounting purposes<\/li>\n<li>Any item(s) which you have already had European Union or other public funding for (or intend to apply for European Union or other public funding).<\/li>\n<li>Recoverable VAT<\/li>\n<li>Proposals that are carried out only to meet a domestic legal requirement<\/li>\n<li>Statutory fines, criminal fines or penalties.<\/li>\n<li>Bad debts<\/li>\n<li>Gifts<\/li>\n<li>Entertaining (which for this purpose means anything that would be a taxable benefit to the person being entertained, according to current UK tax regulations).<\/li>\n<li>Contingency costs<\/li>\n<li>Insurance policy costs<\/li>\n<li>Contributions in kind<\/li>\n<li>Depreciation, amortisation, or impairment of fixed assets owned by the applicant\/project<\/li>\n<li>Interest payments or service charges payment for finance leases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"t2\" class=\"tabs-panel \"><div class=\"content-box section-box\"><p>Grants will be paid in arrears and normally in stages dependent on your timescales and outputs\/milestones. We expect you to make a maximum of 3 claims over the course of the project. However, we will accept more frequent claims if a viable explanation is provided in your application.<\/p>\n<p>You must show that you have sufficient funds to pay for the project costs until you receive the grant payments. In some circumstances you may need to apply for a percentage of the costs upfront, this is an exception rather than the rule.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"t3\" class=\"tabs-panel \"><div class=\"content-box section-box\"><p>All projects must be able to deliver, show defrayal and claim all project costs by 31<sup>st<\/sup> March 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Defrayal means that any agreed eligible costs must be paid in full. Items can only be declared as fully defrayed if evidence is provided that the payment for the item has left the purchaser\u2019s account.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"t4\" class=\"tabs-panel \"><div class=\"content-box section-box\"><p>All applicants must show<strong> how their project<\/strong> will support its target beneficiaries (16+), resident in the <strong>Devon County Council<\/strong> administration area,<strong> Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge and West Devon<\/strong>. Essential Skills Devon aims to support those harder-to-reach groups that are finding maths, English or digital a barrier.\u00a0\u00a0Therefore, projects will be asked to show how their delivery will support:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Disabled individuals \u2013 including those with neurodivergent characteristics or who are experiencing mental health issues<\/li>\n<li>People who are Deaf and use British Sign Language<\/li>\n<li>Minority ethnic groups<\/li>\n<li>Individuals in isolated areas across Devon<\/li>\n<li>Care experienced individuals<\/li>\n<li>People who are long-term unemployed<\/li>\n<li>Other evidenced harder to reach groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"t5\" class=\"tabs-panel \"><div class=\"content-box section-box\"><p>An application can only be made using the <strong>Essential Skills Application Form<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/e\/f1hewgXZdx\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/forms.office.com\/e\/f1hewgXZdx<\/a> which also includes relevant guidance for completion. The Essential Skills team will assess your application. We are looking for evidence of a sound business case and for projects that deliver value for money and meet our priorities for funding.<\/p>\n<p>If you are unsure if your project is eligible, or if you require support, please contact the Essential Skills Team on <a href=\"mailto:EssentialSkillsDevon@devon.gov.uk\">EssentialSkills@devon.gov.uk<\/a> \u00a0and they will be able to assist you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You won\u2019t automatically get a grant<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When you apply for a grant, you are competing with other applicants in the eligible area. We are looking for projects that best meet the priorities for funding, and that are good value for taxpayers\u2019 money. If you can show this clearly in your application, you are more likely to receive a grant.<\/p>\n<p>Essential Skills funding is limited and will be prioritised to applications that best contribute to the programme\u2019s aim and themes, as set out above.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The application process is competitive<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This means that even those who submit a quality application may not be funded, as this scheme aims to support a range of projects, to cover a variety of needs, geographies and demographics. We aim to support projects within those wards and places within the County whose residents have traditionally had the lowest skills achievement.<\/p>\n<p>Devon County Council reserves the right not to make any awards if it is considered that the proposals are not sufficiently innovative, are not scalable, or practical.<\/p>\n<p>All applications are assessed and put forward to an independent decision-making board who have the final decision on whether a project is approved or declined for funding.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do not start work, incur costs, or place any orders before your grant agreement has been signed. This will potentially make your whole project ineligible<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"t6\" class=\"tabs-panel \"><div class=\"content-box section-box\"><p>We understand that the application process may appear to be lengthy for those only seeking a small amount of funding, however, the application detail should be proportionate to the size of the grant you are applying for. The most important consideration, and what your application will be assessed on, is the quality of the information, not quantity. Therefore, we expect the level of detail will be greater for larger project funding applications than smaller projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The <\/strong><strong>Essential Skills grant scheme has a single-stage application process:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Stage 1. Full Application<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Full Application is a comprehensive application, in which you tell us in detail about your project.<\/p>\n<p>This is a competitive process and submission of a Full Application does not mean you will be awarded funding. You are part of a group of projects that will be presented to the Decision-Making Board.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Tip:<\/em><\/strong><em> Ensure you make the distinction between what your organisation delivers as a whole and what the discreet project is that you are requesting funding for \u2013 even when requesting support for \u2018core costs\u2019 you must clearly define what the funding is going towards and what directly it will achieve.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Supporting Documents<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the Full Application we will require\u00a0 supporting documents that can include policies; business accounts; supporting letters etc. As well as any supporting documentation that demonstrates the need and demand, impact, value for money and deliverability of your project and how it will make a game-changing difference to the local economy\/community.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Outputs, Outcomes, and Milestones <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Outputs<\/strong> are the measurable results which you will achieve as part of the project.\u00a0 Outputs are integral in the decision-making process; they help the appraiser determine the value for money that the project will achieve. If your application is successful, they will form part of the grant funding agreement which you will be required to enter into with Devon County Council. Therefore, it is advisable to be realistic about the outputs your project will achieve.<\/p>\n<p>All the organisations applying for an Essential Skills Devon grant must show how their project will deliver within at least one of the following outputs and outcomes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-scroll\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\">Output<\/td>\n<td width=\"516\">Output details<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\">OP1<\/td>\n<td width=\"516\"><strong>Number of people participating in adult numeracy provision.<\/strong> <em>This is the number of people participating in courses designed to improve numeracy skills (numeracy skills are the ability to recognise and apply maths concepts in all areas of life.<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\">OP2<\/td>\n<td width=\"516\"><strong>Number of people be supported to access basic skills courses.<\/strong> <em>This is the number of people receiving support to attend courses aimed at improving their basic skills. Basic skills include, but are not limited to skills in English, Maths, Digital and ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages).<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\">OP3<\/td>\n<td width=\"516\"><strong>Number of people supported to participate in education.<\/strong> <em>This is the number of people<\/em> <em>who have received support to engage in education (lifelong learning, formal education) or training activities (off-the-job\/in-the-job training, vocational training, etc.).<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\">Outcome<\/td>\n<td width=\"516\">Outcome details<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\">OC1<\/td>\n<td width=\"516\"><strong>Number of people with basic skills following support.<\/strong> N<em>umber of people with basic skills as a result of support. Basic skills mean skills in English, Maths, Digital and ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages).<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"85\">OC2<\/td>\n<td width=\"516\"><strong>Number of people gaining a qualification or completing a course following support.<\/strong> <em>This is the number of people who have received support to gain a qualification or completed a course following that support<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Milestones<\/strong> are they keys steps in your project; these are normally the timescales in which you hope to achieve progress.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>Before you submit your Full Application, please check you have provided: <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Application Form including fully completed costs, outputs and milestones<\/li>\n<li>Letters of support or expressions of interest from stakeholders \u2013 optional<\/li>\n<li>VAT letter to confirm that you are not VAT registered or are making exempt supplies (if applicable)<\/li>\n<li>Note that the following policies (where relevant) will be required for successful applications, prior to contracting:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>Public liability insurance \/ employer\u2019s liability insurance<\/li>\n<li>Health and Safety<\/li>\n<li>Safeguarding Adults<\/li>\n<li>Prevent (anti-radicalisation)<\/li>\n<li>Modern Slavery<\/li>\n<li>Data Security \/ Data Protection<\/li>\n<li>Equality and Diversity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you do not have one or more of these policies, please explain which policies you do not have in place and explain why.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How to Submit your Full Application<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A Full Application must be signed electronically and submitted using the Microsoft Forms link.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a notification of submission, please print this for your records. Please send any supporting documents to the Essential Skills Team: <a href=\"mailto:EssentialSkills@devon.gov.uk\">EssentialSkills@devon.gov.uk<\/a> All emails must be from the email address you provided in Section 1 of the Application Form. Closing date for applications is Monday 14 July 2025, applications will need to be submitted using the Microsoft forms link by 23:59 hrs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"t7\" class=\"tabs-panel \"><div class=\"content-box section-box\"><p>The programme team will check your application for eligibility and completeness.<\/p>\n<p>If your application is 100% complete, then it will be assigned to an independent appraiser for review.<\/p>\n<p>If there are any documents missing, or we require further information or clarification, you will be contacted to provide the information requested. A response must be sent within 48 hours from the date you were asked to provide the information. Where this is not possible, please contact\u00a0 the team immediately on <a href=\"mailto:EssentialSkills@devon.gov.uk\">EssentialSkills@devon.gov.uk<\/a>, explaining why you are unable to provide the information within the requested timescale, and provide the date you will be able to supply the information. When all required information has been received, your application will be assigned to an independent appraiser for review.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Decision and Outcome <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The decision on whether to award funding will be made by the Decision-Making Board (DMB), which is comprised of representatives from Devon County Council and the Devon &amp; Torbay Combined County Authority.<\/p>\n<p>There are four possible outcomes from a Decision-Making Board meeting:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Approved<\/strong> \u2013 the project is awarded the funding without any additional conditions<\/li>\n<li><strong>Approved with conditions<\/strong> \u2013 the project is awarded the funding subject to meeting additional conditions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deferred<\/strong> \u2013 the project decision is deferred; you will be provided with details of the reasons and what you must provide to enable the DMB to decide.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rejected<\/strong> \u2013 The application is rejected, and you are provided detailed reasons for the decision. You will also be informed if you can reapply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Appeals Process<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Whilst we appreciate it will be disappointing, that your project was not selected for funding, please be assured that this decision will not have been taken lightly, therefore appeals are only accepted if you believe that a mistake has been made due to errors or omissions during the processing of your application. All appeals should be submitted in writing to <a href=\"mailto:EssentialSkillsDevon@devon.gov.uk\">EssentialSkills@devon.gov.uk<\/a> within 14 working days; from the date you are notified that funding has not been awarded. Any appeals received will be reviewed by an independent DCC officer, who has not been involved at any stage during the application processing, appraisal or decision-making processes, please allow 30 working days from the date DCC acknowledge receipt of your appeal. All appeal decisions are final.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction and background The Essential Skills Devon Programme has been made possible through the UK Government\u2019s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) awarded to the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, this programme supports community-led projects\u00a0that help individuals aged 16 and &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/funding-and-research\/essential-skills-devon-grant-scheme\/\" aria-label=\"Continue reading Essential Skills Devon &#8211; closed\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2335,"featured_media":0,"parent":10,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-5430","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-08 10:31:04","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2335"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5430"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5738,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5430\/revisions\/5738"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/economy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}