European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

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The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) aims to support member states and regions to improve employment and education opportunities, to enhance social inclusion and to tackle poverty.

ESF+ is a combination of four funds from the 2014-2020 programming period: the European Social Fund (ESF), the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD), the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and the European Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).

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What is the aim?

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) aims to achieve:

high employment levels
fair social protection
the eradication of poverty
a skilled and resilient workforce
equal access to the labour market
fair and quality working conditions
social protection and inclusion

ESF+ has a particular focus on:

quality and inclusive education and training
lifelong learning
investment in children and young people
access to basic services

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What does it support?

ESF+ co-funds local, regional and national employment-related projects. Its funding focuses on the following priorities:

Social Inclusion

Active inclusion
Socio-economic integration of third-country nationals
Socio-economic integration of marginalised communities, such as Roma people
Equal access to quality services and modernising social protection systems
Social integration of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion
Addressing material deprivation

‍Education and Skills

Better education and training systems at all levels
Equal access to quality education and training
Upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning for all

‍Employment

Access to quality employment for all, including youth employment
Modernising labour market institutions and services
Gender-balanced labour market participation
Adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs to change

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Who can apply?

Civil society organisations
Public authorities or bodies
Social security institutions and employment services
Microfinance institutions
Institutions providing finance to social enterprises or other social investment actors

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Why does the EU fund equality and inclusion?

Read more about EU policy on the topic of Human rights, justice and equality.

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Budget

The programme has a total budget of €99 billion for 2021-2027.

Please note: ESF+ is a co-financed programme, meaning that EU funding must be matched by a set percentage of national funding.

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Project Example

JUST4ALL - Building social innovation learning laboratories in Europe through a just transition for all and with all

Aontas is a partner on the ESF+-funded project “JUST4ALL - Building social innovation learning laboratories in Europe through a just transition for all and with all.” Delivered by 7 partners in 6 EU countries, JUST4ALL aims to develop integrated, inclusive, and innovative adult learning and education (ALE) models that promote just transition, with a special focus on migrants, women, and low-skilled adults. Visit the project website to learn more about JUST4ALL.

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National Contact Point in Ireland

The Department of of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is the Managing Authority for ESF+ in Ireland. Contact them at esf@dfheris.gov.ie.

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