Upskilling Pathways – New Opportunities For Adults
The European Social Fund (ESF) is one of the main instruments of the European Union to support social inclusion, employment, and education across its member states. The ESF was established in 1957 and has since contributed to improving the lives of millions of Europeans by investing in their skills, capabilities, and opportunities.
The ESF supports a wide range of projects and initiatives that aim to enhance the quality and accessibility of education and training, promote social innovation and social entrepreneurship, foster social inclusion and equal opportunities, combat poverty and discrimination, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public administrations and services.
The ESF is implemented through seven-year programming periods, in which the EU and the member states agree on the strategic priorities, objectives and funding allocations for each country and region. The current programming period covers 2014-2020 and has a budget of €86.4 billion. The ESF is co-financed by national public and private sources, which add at least another €38 billion to the total amount.
The ESF is managed by the European Commission, which ensures compliance with the EU rules and regulations, monitors the progress and results of the funded actions, and provides guidance and support to the member states and other stakeholders. The ESF is delivered by the member states through their national or regional authorities, which select, implement, and evaluate the projects in partnership with social partners, civil society organizations, local communities, and beneficiaries.
The ESF is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), which also include the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund (CF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Together, these funds represent over half of the EU budget and are key drivers for achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth.
(Source: European Commission)