Invests in people for employment, education, and social inclusion.
The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the EU's main instrument for investing in people, with a budget of €99.3 billion for 2021-2027. It focuses on employment, education, skills, and social inclusion across EU member states. Key areas include supporting youth employment, up-skilling workers, reducing poverty, and promoting social inclusion of marginalized groups. The ESF+ merges several previous EU funds, including the European Social Fund, Youth Employment Initiative, and Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived. Funding is implemented through shared management between the European Commission and national/regional authorities in EU countries. Eligible recipients include public administrations, NGOs, charities, and small businesses. Projects typically address local employment and social challenges. While individual project amounts vary, the ESF+ requires member states to allocate at least 25% to social inclusion measures, 12.5% to youth employment in high-need areas, and 3% to food aid for the most deprived. Recent initiatives include programs to help long-term unemployed people in Spain find work, provide job training for refugees in Germany, and support education for Roma children in Bulgaria. The ESF+ aims to create a more inclusive and resilient workforce as Europe transitions to a green, digital economy.