More charities are set to benefit from the European Social Fund, after a successful bid to make it accessible to a broader range of organisations.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) lobbied for the European Economic and Social Committee (EcoSoc) to amend the access criteria for the fund, which was set up to improve employment opportunities and living standards in the EU.

Under the new agreement, organisations that support women and ethnic minorities will be added to the list of priority groups eligible for funding.

NCVO has also secured an agreement that third-sector providers will get access to technical assistance and financial support for their capacity building work.

The European Commission asked EcoSoc to carry out a study into the future structure of the European Social Fund from 2013-2020.

Sir Stuart Etherington, NCVO’s Chief Executive, was invited to join the study group following his appointment to EcoSoc in Autumn 2010.

Etherington said: "We are delighted that, thanks to these amendments, more organisations will be able to access financial support to help them to deliver vital services. In the current economic climate, income sources such as the European Social Fund are a lifeline for organisations facing funding challenges."

The European Social Fund aims to reduce inequality across the EU and enhance economic and social cohesion.

Since it was set up in 2007, it has moved nearly 400,000 young people and adults into employment, and made grants of £3.3 billion to third sector providers.

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