What is the European Social Fund?
The European Social Fund (ESF) is the main financial tool through which the European Union translates its strategic employment policy aims into action. Already set up by Treaty of Rome, it is the longest established Structural Fund which, for over 40 years, has invested, in partnership with the Member States, in programmes to develop people's skills and their potential for work.
The ESF now stands at an important point in its development. A new seven-year period begins in 2000 for the ESF, in which its own potential has been fully integrated - in both policy and management terms - into what is done at Member State level to put the European Employment Strategy’s priorities into practice. The Strategy involves the fifteen Member States working together towards common agreed goals to prepare people for work, and to create a better climate for jobs (see also: study on the ESF support for the European Employment Strategy).
The ESF provides European Union funding on a major scale for programmes which develop or regenerate people's "employability". This task focuses on providing citizens with appropriate work skills as well as developing their social interaction skills, thereby improving their self-confidence and adaptability in the job marketplace.
The ESF channels its support into strategic long-term programmes which help regions across Europe, particularly those lagging behind, to upgrade and modernise workforce skills and to foster entrepreneurial initiative. This encourages domestic and foreign investment into the regions, helping them to achieve greater economic competitiveness and prosperity.
Programmes are planned by Member States together with the European Commission and then implemented through a wide range of provider organisations both in the public and the private sectors. These organisations include national, regional and local authorities, educational and training institutions, voluntary organisations and the Social Partners i.e. trade unions and works councils, industry and professional associations, and individual companies.
The ESF acts as a catalyst for new approaches to projects, harnessing and bringing to bear the combined resources of all involved. It fosters partnerships at many different levels and encourages the Europe-wide transfer of knowledge, sharing of ideas and best practice, ensuring that the most effective new solutions are incorporated into mainstream policies.
What are the ESF's key messages?
- Key financial instrument supporting the European Employment Strategy
- Investing in people
- Greater responsibility to Member States
- Simplification of administration
- Partnership, local action and evaluation of effectiveness
- Encouraging local solutions to local issues
