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.
The European Social Fund+ (ESF+) could significantly support the development of the European Housing Cooperative (EHC) through several of its programs. The ESF+ focuses on investing in people and building a more inclusive Europe, aligning well with EHC's goals. The ESF+ Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand is particularly relevant, as it supports social innovations and transnational cooperation. This could help EHC develop innovative housing solutions across multiple EU countries. Additionally, the ESF+ emphasis on social inclusion and combating poverty aligns with EHC's mission to provide affordable housing. The Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), now part of ESF+, could potentially support EHC in providing housing assistance to vulnerable groups. The ESF+'s focus on improving access to affordable, sustainable services, including housing, further reinforces its potential to support EHC. Past ESF-funded projects related to housing include the "Housing First" initiatives in various EU countries, which provided housing and support services to homeless individuals. The "Social Housing Agency" project in Madrid, Spain, which focused on residential desegregation and social accompaniment, also received ESF support. To maximize chances of support, EHC should emphasize its potential for creating social impact, fostering transnational cooperation, and developing innovative housing solutions that address pressing social needs across Europe.