About: European Social Fund
Cohesion becomes central to EU recovery package
Through the new REACT-EU emergency instrument, cohesion policy will be one of the key elements in the European Commission's proposal for a recovery package, which takes into account that the impact of the COVID-19 crisis has been uneven across the EU.
Decentralisation of European funds in France, a typically French disaster
Late payments and a dreadful IT management tool: The decentralisation of EU funds has led to serious malfunctions in France, according to a report by the French Court of Auditors published just days before the European elections. EURACTIV France reports.
In Lorraine, the European Social Fund supports organic market gardening
Job-seekers are getting into organic vegetable farming in Courcelles-Chaussy in eastern France, as dreams of a healthier lifestyle and demand for organic products convinces people to go back to the fields. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission defends Cohesion-European Semester link, with suspended payments option
The Commission rushed on Wednesday (30 May) to defend its proposal on linking Cohesion Policy programmes with structural reforms in the European Semester, after MEPs and networks of regions and cities voiced concerns about the possible impact on Cohesion’s initial objectives to help less developed regions.
Brace for impact: Parliament starts scrutinising EU’s regional budget reform
EURACTIV gathered a first round of reactions to the European Commission's proposal to reform the EU's €373 billion regional funding programme as part of the bloc’s 2021-2027 budget. One thing is certain: the proposed cuts will be a major issue of dissent in the European Parliament.
Czech social entrepreneur offers disadvantaged people a chance
Profit is not the only reason to start a business. There are enterprises in Europe whose aim is to help other people, usually the less fortunate ones, with their career.
Raising awareness of disabilities through sporting Intégrathlon
Since 2009, the Intégrathlon has challenged preconceived ideas about disabilities with sports events organised in five towns in Seine-Saint-Denis. EURACTIV.fr went to Tremblay-en-France, one of the cities at the heart of this year’s project.
Grassroots solidarity against EU-wide rise in hate crimes
Hate speech, racist acts, anti-Semitic violence, and assaults on LGBT people: in recent years, discriminatory violence has skyrocketed. Local actors in Europe are making the most of their imagination to face them. EURACTIV France reports.
UK regions left ‘hoping’ for funds after Brexit
Britain has guaranteed funding for beneficiaries of EU regional funds until the end of the current EU budget in 2020. But for the leaders of many research, education and employment programmes, life after Brexit is still a source of anxiety.
EU Social Fund brings progress despite low expectations
The European Social Fund has reached half of all EU workers and helped 10 million citizens find jobs. Contrary to the popular wisdom, the social situation in Europe is improving. EURACTIV France reports.
EU funds still used to subsidise fossil fuels in Eastern member states
The countries of Eastern and Central Europe rarely use their EU funding for energy transition projects, instead using the money to entrench their dependence on fossil fuels. Our partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.
Commission seeks to revive battered social dialogue
In a move to give new impetus to social partners’ relations, seen as instrumental in the new economic governance set up, the European Commission launched on Thursday (5 March) a new start for social dialogue.
EU debates value of emergency jobless fund
European ministers are proposing to stretch a fund for workers laid off as a result of globalisation to include those hit by the economic crisis, but want to slash its budget by two-thirds, says the MEP overseeing the fund.
EU budget runs dry on youth, education and research
The European Commission will present a proposal for a supplementary budget for 2012, probably on 23 October, as EU coffers ran empty for programmes that include priority areas such as education, youth and research.
Regions want EU funds to back social innovation
Representatives of regions and cities are calling on the European Commission to focus EU funds on supporting new approaches to meeting social needs.
Andor: ‘We have to do more’ to fight poverty
Looking beyond the 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion, Employment and Social Policy Commissioner László Andor says the EU and its member states must keep working to find new and more effective ways to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged groups. He spoke to EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Poverty reduction is ‘key priority’ for future EU funding
Poverty reduction should be one of the main priorities of the EU's regional policy in the coming decade, according to László Andor, the EU commissioner responsible for employment, social policy and inclusion. Meanwhile, NGOs are concerned that member states' efforts to balance national budgets are pushing more Europeans into poverty.
Regions reject linking EU funds to budget rules
Local government leaders have spoken out against plans by the European Commission to suspend the payment of EU funds to countries that fail to rein in their national budget deficits and keep a lid on public debt levels. They claim that it is unfair to punish regions for decisions taken at national level.
Cutting EU funds could harm growth, says Budapest mayor
Future cuts in EU regional funds could damage the ability of local and regional bodies to balance economic development with vital social and environmental changes, outgoing Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky told EURACTIV in an interview.
Commissioners urge Barroso to streamline EU funds
In a letter seen by EURACTIV, four EU commissioners call on their president, José Manuel Barroso, to bring key EU funds under the same umbrella from 2014, in order to cut out overlap and ensure better strategic spending.