Keep what works: Eight success factors for a stronger ESF+
Eurochild signs joint statement by more than 40 civil society organisations asking for the EU budget to prioritise social transformation by strengthening the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) as a central tool to reduce inequalities, boost employment, combat poverty, and deliver on the European Pillar of Social Rights through guaranteed funding, inclusive governance, and long-term social investment.
Europe is transforming: economically, digitally, in terms of sustainability. These changes necessitate a social transformation to make the most of the evolving landscape, whilst leaving no one behind. To achieve this, Europe must reduce inequalities, promote social progress and achieve high quality employment levels, thereby strengthening the Single Market and improve Europe’s economy. These are also foundational elements to facilitate restoring trust in our political systems and our social market economy.
The European Union’s Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2027 onwards will be a critical instrument to create a Europe that is fit-for-purpose, competitive and capable of achieving the 3 targets set-out in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan: on employment, training and lifting at least 15 million people, of which 5 million children, out of poverty by 2030. Like the European Parliament and others, we see the European Social Fund + and Cohesion policy more generally as essential tools to achieve this.
The next MFF will of course need to improve, be adapted to the evolving context and new priorities. Improving a framework is also to recognise what has worked well with its predecessors. Since its establishment in 1957 with the Treaty of Rome, the European Social Fund (ESF) has been a cornerstone of EU investment, effectively addressing territorial disparities, targeting local needs, and supporting innovation and reforms in partnership with local stakeholders, social partners, civil society and the social economy. The ESF has driven advancements in employment, training, and social support services, creating opportunities for millions of Europe's most excluded individuals. As highlighted in the Joint Statement “Time for Ambition”, we urge the EU Commission to build on those advancements and strengthen, rather than weaken or merge, the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).
As the EU’s primary instrument to invest in people, the European Social Fund must remain central to the next EU budget. We highlight eight of its Success Factors that are essential to its continued effectiveness:
- Guaranteed funding for delivering on Europe’s quality jobs, skills, and social targets and policies, as highlighted in the European Pillar of Social Rights. This support is needed more than ever given the increasing social and economic challenges Europe faces today and should be strengthened to fully achieve its objectives.
- Multi-level governance and shared management, through its bottom-up approach, linking local needs to EU strategic priorities to maximise impact, accountability, and sustainability of funds.
- Horizontal earmarking for social inclusion has ensured investment to the most excluded, which is crucial for social cohesion, in particular to ensure that new emerging priorities do not undermine social goals.
- Ongoing efforts to simplify and increase flexibility for end-beneficiaries. This approach makes the ESF+ more accessible and attractive, particularly for smaller initiatives from the Proximity and Social Economy ecosystem, enabling a broader range of organisations to benefit from EU funding programmes and enhancing the fund’s overall impact.
- Enabling Conditions (both horizontal and thematic) have been instrumental in the effectiveness of ESF+ and other funds, as they are designed to ensure that investments are grounded in EU’s strategic priorities and legal frameworks and respect for fundamental rights.
- The Partnership Principle, brings together public authorities, social partners, civil society and the social economy and thus ensures transparency, improved targeting of investment needs, and enhanced ownership, coordination, and monitoring.
- ESF+ provides dedicated funding opportunities for local initiatives, including those led by the Proximity and Social Economy sectors and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. This is made possible through measures such as capacity building, the use of intermediary bodies, administrative simplification, and the creation of a more enabling environment for smaller organisations to access and manage funding.
- ESF+ means investment into long-term priorities, systemic reforms and capacity development. This has helped reforming welfare systems in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights and enhancing the availability, accessibility, affordability, and resilience of quality social, health, education, training, housing, and other services of general interest.
We stand ready to support the EU institutions in securing a strong European Social Fund +, by building on its eight Success Factors.
