WEFO Update September 2022

Sep 30, 2022

Update on the ESF Participants Survey

Please be aware that WEFO has commissioned IFF Research to undertake the second part of the ESF Participants Survey for the 2014-2020 Programme.

IFF Research are conducting a survey with a sample of ESF Participants who have completed training or received support via ESF funded projects and have left the project at least 6 months prior to the survey.  IFF will send out letters to those on the sample a week before the fieldwork starts to inform them they will receive a call.  The letter also includes a link to the survey privacy notice, an email and freephone number to IFF for any queries.

Fieldwork started in early August and is planned to take place in three waves:

  • Wave 1 – to be conducted between August and mid-November to include participants who have left provision between April 2018 and July 2021.
  • Wave 2 – to be conducted between January and February 2023 to include additional participants who left up to December 2021.
  • Wave 3 – to be conducted between April and May 2023 to include additional participants who left up to April 2022.

Respondents will be asked about what they were doing before they participated in the project, their reasons for participating in the project and whether they think the project has been of benefit to them since.

The aims of the survey are to fulfil the EC reporting requirements and to provide WEFO and our partner organisations with robust information to assess the effectiveness of the ESF programmes across Wales.

If you have any queries about the ESF Participants Survey, please contact emily.rowlands001@gov.wales or charlotte.guinnee@gov.wales.

Publicity Activities and Closure

A reminder for lead project partners to keep the WEFO communications team informed of your achievements, milestones, success stories and closure event plans for them to help you maximise publicity through their channels and consider Ministerial involvement.

In terms of closure procedures in general, another reminder that project closure guidance is available on the Welsh Government website.

Guidance on closure procedures for Ireland-Wales co-operation projects can be found on the Ireland-Wales website. 

If you have any further queries on this, please contact and discuss with your Project Development Officer in the first instance.

Wales Rural Network Support Unit (WRNSU)

The WRNSU aids the exchange of ideas between rural organisations. It is available to anyone:

  • interested in rural development
  • involved with the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and the schemes it funds
  • wanting to keep up to speed with future funding information

Find out more about the Wales Rural Network support unit.