ESF+ – European Social Fund – 2021-2027

ESF + (European Social Fund) is one of the European Union’s Structural Funds. It is dedicated to employment, education and training. As an initiator of social inclusion, the ESF+ helps people in precarious and excluded situations in particular. Created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome, it is intended to boost economic cohesion by developing employment. Since 2021, the ESF has been strengthened and has become the ESF+.

Objectives

• To help EU Member States and regions achieve high employment levels, establish fair social protections and develop a skilled and resilient workforce ready for the future, along with inclusive and fair societies that aim to eradicate poverty and deliver on the principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights
• To support, complement and add value to the policies of Member States to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to the labour market, fair and quality working conditions, social protection and inclusion

Priorities

• Priority 1: To support young people who have been particularly affected by the socioconomic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing resources to help them get a qualification, find a quality job and improve their education and skills;
• Priority 2: To help children in need by allocating resources to targeted initiatives aimed at combating child poverty and supporting the most vulnerable in society suffering from job losses and income reductions, including providing food and basic material assistance to the most deprived;
• Priority 3: To reskill and upskill people for the transition to a green and digital economy, and improving the quality of education and training systems
• Priority 4: To promote gender equality, equal opportunities and non discrimination
• Priority 5: To build capacity for social partners and civil-society organisations
• Priority 6: To promote social innovation across the EU through transnational cooperation
• Priority 7: To provide direct support for social innovation through the EaSI strand

Financed actions 

• Employment
• Education and skills
• Social inclusion