All providers will be checked to ensure that they meet both the ESF and LSC’s publicity requirements as part of the programme’s auditing procedures and will need to produce evidence that they have met the requirements. This evidence will include:

• That logos have been used on all relevant project literature and promotional material such as exhibition panels, advertisements or awards
• That the LSC and ESF funding has been acknowledged in interviews
• That the provider has proactively publicised their project and the support it has received from the LSC and ESF in order to raise awareness of what funding is being used for in the region. This would include copies of press releases, details of who they were sent to and copies of any cuttings or coverage

For more information click on the links below:

• What are the publicity requirements?
• How do they affect me?
• What help and support is available?

Any organisation receiving ESF funds needs to acknowledge the support and funding they receive, by displaying the appropriate logos and publicising the activity and achievements funded by the programme to ensure as many people as possible get to know about ESF and what it does. Logos need to appear on literature, in advertisements and on any materials used to promote the course, such as exhibition panels, prospectuses or flyers.

Publicity means any external activity that raises the profile of your project. For example, this could be:

• a press release issued to local media announcing the launch of your project
• a photo opportunity where you invite local press along to take photos of training in action
• personal success stories about people you have helped; or
• a case study of your project  

As a co-financed project, every project must also follow the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) own endorsement policy and guidelines (available on www.lsc.gov.uk ). This policy came into force in May 2005 and covers all funding agreements from that date. Credit for the LSC funding is a compulsory and evidence will be required from projects as proof that they are complying with the new requirements.

ESF logos are available from Government Office for the West Midlands http://www.gos.gov.uk/gowm/EuroFund/?a=42496

In summary, you need to:

• use the ESF/LSC logo on beneficiary documentation
• display the ESF Plaque and put the ESF/LSC logo on all relevant course or training literature
• acknowledge ESF/LSC support in press releases, interviews, award ceremonies
• publicise your activities and achievements; and
• keep evidence to show you have done all these things to show to auditors

LSC Brand Guidelines

For full information on how to use the LSC logo and artwork go to https://brand.lsc.gov.uk

ESF logos

ESF logos and guidelines are available from Government Office for the West Midlands, email euro.funding@gowm.gsi.gov.uk

ESF plaques are available free of charge, either from the LSC via your contract manager or direct from:

Corporate Document Services
7 Eastgate
Leeds
LS2 7LY

Tel: 0113 3994040
Fax: 0113 3994205
Email: orderline@cds.co.uk
On contacting CDS the following code needs to be quoted in order to obtain the plaques and the fixing kits. 
Order Code: ESF0001

ESF Publicity Toolkit

This has been developed to give providers everything you need to publicise your projects. It includes an introduction to the publicity requirements, guidance on what you need to do to write your own case studies or press stories, as well as tips on how to book photography and deal with the media. It also includes templates for case studies and press releases, including notes to editors that you must always use, as well as guidance on how to ensure your activities comply with Data Protection legislation.

Please contact Daisy Halliday at IAS SMARTS for your copy of the toolkit, telephone 0121 456 3199, email: daisy.halliday@iassmarts.com  The toolkit is also available to download from ESF section on the the LSC website http://www.lsc.gov.uk/regions/WestMidlands/ESF

Regional publicity programme

The LSC has appointed a PR agency, IAS SMARTS who, as well as compiling the toolkit, can provide you with additional advice and support if required. This could be helping you to identify good news stories, prepare press releases and case studies and identifying who to send material to. The ESF PR team can be contacted on 0121 456 3199, email esfpr@iassmarts.com. Please ensure you have read the publicity toolkit before asking for further advice as many of your questions will be answered in there.

Publicity workshops

We will be holding a series of publicity workshops for providers starting in May 2007. These will give you the tools you need to carry out your own publicity.  Letters will be sent out giving further details as date and venues are confirmed.  

Creative support

Creativelaunchpad is a free service that can put you in touch with local design and media services, including: website design, graphic design, print management, video production, photography and community artists www.creativelaunchpad.co.uk

And finally…

Please remember to keep evidence to show that you have complied with the requirements in order to ensure that your funding is not withdrawn. This would include copies of course literature, presentations, press releases, press cuttings, etc.