A new publication has been launched by the European Commission in the form of an information brochure on the European Social Fund (ESF). As the EU’s main tool for addressing the challenges of employment, social inclusion, education and public services, the Fund supports those who would otherwise not be able to participate in training, obtain qualifications and access jobs. As such, it has an important influence on the labour market and broadly within society, and the publication comes as an opportunity to explain how the ESF works and the achievements it has made so far.

As well as providing case studies of how individuals have benefited from the Fund in various EU countries, the publication also describes its support of various groups, including female entrepreneurs, migrants, young people and the long-term unemployed. The brochure also provides useful information on funding opportunities within the ESF in terms of partnerships, shared management and co-financing.

Some of Eurodiaconia’s members have successfully made use of the ESF for their activities and projects. For example, the Finnish Helsingin Diakonissalaitos (Helsinki Deaconess Institute) developed a social services model called Vamos for excluded young people, and is one of the most comprehensive and effective services targeted for youth in Finland.

You can learn more about the European Social Fund and its goals for 2014-2020, by visiting the publications catalogue.

For any further questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with Florian at florian.tuder@eurodiaconia.org.