Where the law stands, Dossier 2024/2077(INI)
The European Social Fund Plus post-2027
Own-initiative report (INI): Parliament’s own position on a topic. It is not binding. · First reading
Parliament sets out its own position on a topic. The resolution is not binding but signals what Parliament wants.
Where it stands
Parliament’s position
Parliament adopted the text on 11 March 2025. This is its final position on the matter.
- Referred to committee(done) 28 November 2024
- Committee work(done) Report adopted 19 February 2025
- Tabled for plenary(done) 21 February 2025
- Plenary vote(done) Adopted 11 March 2025
- Parliament’s position(done) Final
Decided in plenary
11 March 2025 · decision 3
EU budget & funds, Resolution
European Social Fund Plus post-2027
Adopted 432 for · 155 against · 82 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The text sets out Parliament's position on how the fund should be shaped, including a call to double its budget.
What changed
Latest Tabled for plenary → Adopted by Parliament
AI summary:Shifts emphasis on housing and child poverty to Member State responsibility under subsidiarity, while retaining EU support. Removes calls for new directives on work-related issues and social conditionalities in procurement. Other changes are formal: decimal points replaced with commas in percentages.
Committee draft → Tabled for plenary
AI summary:The report expands the scope of the ESF+ to include broader social challenges, such as education, care, and demographic change, and adds detailed statistics on vulnerable groups. It rewrites the operational paragraphs to change funding priorities, governance, and crisis response, adding new demands on public services, disability, and women's inclusion. It strengthens the role of local and regional authorities, adds conditions on employers, and simplifies administrative procedures for beneficiaries. It replaces paragraphs on digitalisation and awareness with new ones on metrics, support, evaluation, and synergies with other funds. The only formal change updates the addressees of the resolution.
Who works on it
- Lead committee
- Employment and Social Affairs
- The MEP who drafts the report and negotiates it on behalf of the committee.
- Marit Maij (S&D)
- An MEP who follows a report on behalf of their own group when another group holds the rapporteur.
- Miriam Lexmann (EPP), Nikola Bartůšek (Patriots), Elena Donazzan (ECR), Brigitte van den Berg (Renew), Villy Søvndal (Greens), Estrella Galán (The Left)
- Committees giving an opinion
- Regional Development· rapporteurKathleen Funchion (The Left)
The text, version by version
Newest first.
Adopted by Parliament· 11 Mar 2025
AI summary:Parliament's resolution on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) post-2027 insists the fund remains the key EU instrument for social inclusion, employment, and skills, with a significantly increased budget for 2028-2034.
Tabled for plenary· 21 Feb 2025
AI summary:The report sets out Parliament's position on the future European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) after 2027, insisting it remains a separate, strongly funded fund under shared management, focused on social inclusion, employment, skills and poverty reduction.
Committee draft· 24 Oct 2024
AI summary:This draft report sets out Parliament's position on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) after 2027, calling for a strong, standalone fund with doubled funding and specific allocations for social inclusion, child guarantee, housing, and youth.
Committee opinions: Opinion (REGI)
Timeline
Newest first.
Plenary stage 4 steps
11 March 2025
Plenary vote
Sitting of 11 Mar 2025 Report A10-0014/2025Adopted text TA10-0027/2025
10 March 2025
Debated in plenary
MEPs debated the text in the chamber ahead of the vote.
5 March 2025
4 amendments tabled for the plenary vote
Groups propose changes to the tabled text; each is voted on before the final vote.
21 February 2025
Report tabled for plenary
This is the text all MEPs vote on. Political groups can still table amendments to it.
Committee stage 4 steps
19 February 2025
Committee vote: report adopted
EMPL (Employment and Social Affairs) voted on the amendments and adopted the report that goes to plenary.
28 January 2025
REGI (Regional Development) adopted its opinion
The opinion is attached to the report for the lead committee to consider.
28 November 2024
Referred to the EMPL (Employment and Social Affairs) committee
The lead committee prepares the report; REGI (Regional Development) gives an opinion.
24 October 2024
Draft report published
The rapporteur’s first text in EMPL (Employment and Social Affairs). Members can table amendments before the committee votes.
Official record: Legislative Observatory, 2024/2077(INI)