report parliamentary committee draft, 20 April 2026
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Social Fund as part of the National and Regional Partnership Plan set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRPPlan] establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to quality employment, skills and social inclusion for the period from 2028 to 2034
Document EMPL-PR-784181 · (COM(2025)0558 – C100172/2025 – 2025/0239(COD))
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: David Casa, Marit Maij
AI:In short
The draft report sets out Parliament's position on the proposed regulation establishing the European Social Fund for 2028 to 2034. It keeps the ESF as a standalone fund with its own budget and rules, and adds ringfenced spending for social inclusion, child poverty, homelessness and youth employment. It sets a financial envelope of EUR 124 190 000 000, with EUR 20 000 000 000 for the Child Guarantee and EUR 1 000 000 000 for the ESF Committee. It requires Member States to allocate minimum shares of their ESF resources to social inclusion, child poverty, homelessness, youth employment and material deprivation. It lays down rules on shared and direct management, eligibility of costs, partnership, programming, monitoring and information, and requires respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law.
Position. The rapporteurs propose to keep the ESF as a standalone fund with its own budget and rules, retain current ESF+ objectives with a new focus on reskilling, job creation, women's employment, homelessness and inclusion, and reinforce ringfencing for the Child Guarantee, Youth Guarantee, social inclusion, material deprivation and homelessness.
Key points
- The regulation establishes the European Social Fund (ESF) and lays down its objectives, budget for 2028 to 2035, methods of implementation, forms of Union funding and rules for providing such funding.
- It defines terms including lifelong learning, third-country national, basic material assistance, group in a disadvantaged position and key competences.
- The ESF aims to support high employment, fair social protection, a skilled workforce and inclusive societies, and to complement Member States' policies on equal opportunities, access to the labour market, fair working conditions and social protection.
- It lists specific objectives covering access to employment, modernising labour market institutions, gender-balanced participation, adaptation of workers, quality education and training, and social inclusion.
- The financial envelope is EUR 124 190 000 000, with a dedicated budget of EUR 20 000 000 000 for the Child Guarantee and EUR 1 000 000 000 for Article 8(1).
- Member States must allocate at least 30% of ESF resources to social inclusion, 5% to child poverty (10% for those above the Union average), 5% to homelessness, 15% to youth employment, and 5% to material deprivation.
- The ESF is implemented under shared management for specific objectives and under direct management for Article 8 objectives.
- Member States must set out an integrated approach to demographic transition in labour markets and pensions, and programme actions addressing country-specific recommendations under any specific objective.
- Horizontal principles require respect for the rule of law and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, gender equality and non-discrimination throughout preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
- Costs for land, real estate, infrastructure, furniture, equipment and vehicles are generally not eligible, while contributions in kind and direct staff costs may be eligible under conditions.
- Member States must organise comprehensive partnerships including public authorities, social partners, civil society and research organisations, and allocate at least 0.25% of ESF resources to capacity building of social partners and civil society.
- Each Member State must prepare and submit an ESF Programme for 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2034, with specified content, Commission assessment within three months, and a monitoring committee.
Who is affected
- Member States, which must allocate minimum shares of ESF resources, prepare ESF Programmes and set up monitoring committees.
- Social partners and civil society organisations, which must be involved in comprehensive partnerships and can receive capacity-building funding.
- Children at risk of poverty or social exclusion, who benefit from the dedicated Child Guarantee budget and ringfenced spending.
- Young people, especially those not in employment, education or training, who benefit from the Youth Guarantee and ringfenced youth employment spending.
- Third-country nationals, persons with disabilities, Roma communities and other groups in vulnerable situations, who are targeted by social inclusion measures.
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 124 190 000 000 in current prices — financial envelope for the ESF.
- EUR 20 000 000 000 — dedicated budget for the Child Guarantee.
- EUR 1 000 000 000 — part of the financial envelope for Article 8(1).
- At least 30% of ESF resources — for social inclusion objectives.
- At least 5% of ESF resources — for tackling child poverty; 10% for Member States above the Union average.
- At least 5% of ESF resources — for tackling homelessness.
- At least 15% of ESF resources — for youth employment, vocational education and training.
- At least 0.25% of ESF resources — for capacity building of social partners and civil society.
Legal basis. Article 294(2) and Articles 164 and 175(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
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Draft european parliament legislative resolution 246 paragraphs
(COM(2025)0558 – C100172/2025 – 2025/0239(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
The European Parliament,
–having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2025)0558),
–having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 164 and 175(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C100172/2025),
–having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
–having regard to the budgetary assessment by the Committee on Budgets,
–having regard to the reasoned opinions submitted, within the framework of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, by the Czech Senate, the German Bundesrat, the Spanish Parliament, the Portuguese Parliament and the Romanian Senat, asserting that the draft legislative act does not comply with the principle of subsidiarity,
–having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of …,
–having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of …,
–having regard to Rules 60 and 58 of its Rules of Procedure,
–having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Regional Development, the Committee on Culture and Education and the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality,
Read the rest (234 paragraphs)
–having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A100000/2026),
1.Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;
2.Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;
3.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Proposal for a | Proposal for a |
| REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL | REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL |
| establishing the European Social Fund as part of the National and Regional Partnership Plan set out in Regulation (EU) [NRPPlan] establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to quality employment, skills and social inclusion for the period from 2028 to 2034 | establishing the European Social Fund establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to quality employment, skills and social inclusion for the period from 2028 to 2034 |
Or. en
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) On 17 November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights was jointly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as a response to social challenges in Europe. The twenty key principles of the pillar are structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; social protection and inclusion. The twenty principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights should guide the actions under the European Social Fund (ESF). On 4 March 2021, the Commission put forward an Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (the ‘Action Plan’), including ambitious yet realistic Union headline targets for 2030 on employment (that at least 78 % of the population aged 20-64 should be in employment), skills (that at least 60 % of all adults should participate in training every year) and poverty reduction (that at least 15 million fewer people should be at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including 5 million children) (the ‘Union headline targets for 2030’) and complementary sub-targets, as well as a revised Social Scoreboard. In order to contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights the ESF should support investments in people and reforms of the systems in the policy areas of employment, education and social inclusion, thereby supporting economic, territorial and social cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the Treaty. | (1) On 17 November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights was jointly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as a response to social challenges in Europe. The twenty key principles of the pillar are structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; social protection and inclusion. The twenty principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights should guide the actions under the European Social Fund (ESF). On 4 March 2021, the Commission put forward an Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (the ‘Action Plan’), including ambitious yet realistic Union headline targets for 2030 on employment (that at least 78 % of the population aged 20-64 should be in employment), skills (that at least 60 % of all adults should participate in training every year) and poverty reduction (that at least 15 million fewer people should be at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including 5 million children) (the ‘Union headline targets for 2030’) and complementary sub-targets, as well as a revised Social Scoreboard. In order to contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights the ESF should support investments in people and reforms of the systems in the policy areas of employment, education and social inclusion, to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to the labour market, fair and high-quality working conditions, social protection and inclusion, in particular focusing on quality and inclusive education and training, lifelong learning, investment in children and young people and access to basic services, thereby supporting economic, territorial and social cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the Treaty. |
Or. en
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2) The guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, as provided for in Article 148(2) of the Treaty, adopted annually by the Council in the context of the European Semester, are a key instrument for coordination of Union and national employment and social policies. They provide common priorities and targets for employment, education, skills and social policies with a view to improving the Union’s competitiveness and making it a better place to invest, create jobs and foster social cohesion. The ESF is the Union’s main instrument for supporting the employment guidelines and achieving Union objectives in employment and social policies. The employment guidelines complement the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. In this context, the scope of the ESF for 2028 to 2034 should be fully aligned with Council Decision (EU) …1 [Employment guidelines adopted by the Council at the latest by 1 January 2027]. | (2) The guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, as provided for in Article 148(2) of the Treaty, adopted annually by the Council in the context of the European Semester, are a key instrument for coordination of Union and national employment and social policies. They provide common priorities and targets for employment, education, skills and social policies with a view to improving the Union’s competitiveness and making it a better place to invest, create jobs and foster social cohesion. The ESF is the Union’s main instrument for supporting the employment guidelines and achieving Union objectives in employment and social policies. The employment guidelines complement the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. In this context, the scope of the ESF for 2028 to 2034 should include the content of Council Decision (EU) …1 [Employment guidelines adopted by the Council at the latest by 1 January 2027]. |
| 1 Insert publication reference | 1 Insert publication reference |
Or. en
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (3) At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States should submit annual progress reports on the implementation of their medium-term fiscal-structural plans. That framework should be the basis for the use of Union funding in a coherent manner, including with a view to maximise the added value of the financial support to be received. | (3) At Union level, the European Semester of economic policy coordination is the framework to identify national reform priorities and monitor their implementation. Member States should submit annual progress reports on the implementation of their medium-term fiscal-structural plans. |
Or. en
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (4) The Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, vulnerable supply chains, the management of migration flows and the increased security threat, the clean energy transition, technological change and demographic change, an ageing workforce, lack of social housing, and growing skills and labour shortages in many sectors and regions. | (4) The Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, vulnerable supply chains, the management of migration flows and the increased security threat, the clean energy and digital transition, technological change and demographic change, an ageing workforce, lack of social housing, increasing poverty and child poverty ,and growing skills and labour shortages in many sectors and regions. |
Or. en
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (5) Taking into account the changing realities in the world of work, the Union should be prepared for current and future challenges by investing in relevant skills, by making growth more inclusive and by improving employment and social policies, including in view of labour mobility and sectoral restructuring, paying attention to urban and rural areas that face particular social weaknesses . | (5) Taking into account the changing realities in the world of work, the Union should be prepared for current and future challenges by investing in a just transition, including by fostering innovation and investing in relevant skills as highlighted by the Union of Skills, by making growth more inclusive and by improving employment and social policies, including in view of labour mobility and sectoral restructuring, paying attention to urban and rural areas that face particular social weaknesses. |
Or. en
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (6) Between now and 2040, the Union labour market will comprise approximately 1 million fewer persons each year. Furthermore, in addition to a shrinking workforce, some regions are affected by a small and stagnant share of the population with tertiary education, making it difficult to compensate for the loss of labour through higher labour productivity. This will increase pressure on the social welfare model of the Union, putting its sustainability and adequacy under pressure. It will also increase labour and skills shortages in the labour market, putting strain on economic growth and competitiveness. For some sectors this will lead to labour cost pressures. This is why the ESF needs to support an increase in participation in the labour market, especially of women and young people, persons with disabilities, Roma communities and to support employers in finding the right people for available jobs, empower older workers with appropriate labour market and workplace measures, ensure a skilled workforce able to tackle major societal challenges, and support a healthy work life balance including by ensuring access to quality childcare. | (6) Between now and 2040, the Union labour market will comprise approximately 1 million fewer persons each year. Furthermore, in addition to a shrinking workforce, some regions are affected by a small and stagnant share of the population with tertiary education, making it difficult to compensate for the loss of labour through higher labour productivity. This will increase pressure on the social welfare model of the Union, putting its sustainability and adequacy under pressure. It will also increase labour and skills shortages in the labour market, putting strain on economic growth and competitiveness. For some sectors this will lead to labour cost pressures. This is why the ESF needs to support an increase in participation in the labour market, especially of women and young people, persons with disabilities, third-country nationals, Roma communities and to support employers in finding the right people for available jobs, empower older workers with appropriate labour market and workplace measures, ensure a skilled workforce able to tackle major societal challenges, and support a healthy work life balance including by ensuring access to quality childcare. |
Or. en
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (7) On 29 January 2025, the Commission presented the Competitiveness Compass. The Compass sets a path for Europe to become the place where future technologies, services, and clean products are invented, manufactured, and put on the market, while being the first continent to become climate neutral. It recognises five horizontal enablers for competitiveness, including promoting skills and quality jobs, and highlights that the foundation of Europe’s competitiveness is its people. To be competitive and prepared for the future, the Union needs to support and prepare its people with the skills and competences needed for success in learning, work, and life. | (7) On 29 January 2025, the Commission presented the Competitiveness Compass. The Compass sets a path for Europe to become the place where future technologies, services, and clean products are invented, manufactured, and put on the market, while being the first continent to become climate neutral. It recognises five horizontal enablers for competitiveness, including promoting skills and quality jobs, and highlights that the foundation of Europe’s competitiveness is its people. To be competitive and prepared for the future, the Union needs to support and prepare its people with the skills and competences needed for success in learning, work, and life. To remain competitive, the Union should ensure that workers have good working conditions and opportunities to grow and progress in their careers. |
Or. en
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (8) In addition, on 26 February 2025 the Commission adopted the Communication “The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation”. It is vital to recognise the critical role of skills in facilitating a successful transition to a cleaner and more competitive industrial future within the Union. Developing a highly skilled workforce is essential for driving innovation and advancing decarbonisation and circularity across vital industries. This focus on skill enhancement is crucial for achieving the Union’s objectives of a just transition and for sustaining and enhancing the Union’s global competitiveness. Furthermore, access to environmental resources and their benefits is unequally distributed across society, as are environmental hazards and health risks. It is more likely to fall disproportionately on vulnerable groups. | (8) In addition, on 26 February 2025 the Commission adopted the Communication “The Clean Industrial Deal: A joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation”. It is vital to recognise the critical role of skills in facilitating a successful transition to a cleaner and more competitive industrial future within the Union. Developing a highly skilled workforce is essential for driving innovation and advancing decarbonisation and circularity across vital industries. This focus on skill enhancement is crucial for achieving the Union’s objectives of a just transition and for sustaining and enhancing the Union’s global competitiveness. Furthermore, access to environmental resources and their benefits is unequally distributed across society, as are environmental hazards and health risks. It is more likely to fall disproportionately on groups in vulnerable situations. |
Or. en
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (10) Regulation (EU) [NRP Regulation] establishes the general rules on the National Regional Partnership Plan (the ‘NRP Plan’) and lays down, in particular, the objectives to be supported by the National Regional Partnership Plans and the rules concerning the preparation, implementation, management and control of such Plans. The ESF is one of the nationally pre-allocated funds grouped under the National Regional Partnership Plan, in accordance with Regulation (EU) [...] [NRP Plan Regulation. It is therefore necessary to clarify the scope of support of the ESF in relation to the objectives set out in the NRP Regulation and lay down specific provisions concerning the implementation of the ESF. | deleted |
Or. en
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (11) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the NRP Plan, including the ESF, depends on good governance and partnership between all actors at the relevant territorial levels and the socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners and civil society organisations. | (11) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF, depends on good governance and partnership between all actors at the relevant territorial levels and the socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners and civil society organisations. |
Or. en
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (12) In order to strengthen Europe’s societies and Europe’s Social model, Member States should allocate a minimum amount of resources under their National and Regional Partnership Plans adopted in accordance with Regulation (EU) [NRP Plan Regulation] to the ESF. The diverse nature and severity of different socio-economic challenges in Member States requires a more flexible approach to programming. Whilst a minimum level of support for social policies is necessary to ensure action commensurate to these challenges, it also needs to be closely corresponding to the national and regional characteristics. The underlying sources of social disparities or problems need to inform the relative importance given to investments and reforms within the realm of the Employment Guidelines and the ESF. This implies that policy safeguards through thematic concentration should result from engagement between Member States and the Commission. The minimum amount of ESF must also find the balance between the strategic interest the Union has in investing in its people, and thereby in the quality of labour supply as well as social progress, and at the same time investment needs covered by other specific objectives enlisted in article 3 of the [NRP Plan Regulation]. | (12) In order to strengthen Europe’s societies and Europe’s Social model, Member States have been allocated a dedicated financial envelope for the ESF to ensure a standalone and separate programme for promoting upwards social convergence, quality employment and equal opportunities, guided by the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. At least a minimum level of support for social policies is necessary to ensure action commensurate to these challenges, which also needs to be closely corresponding to the national and regional characteristics taking the specific objectives of the ESF into account. |
Or. en
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (13) The ESF should support employment, equal access for all to the labour market, fair and quality working conditions and labour mobility. The ESF should support Member States in providing support to unemployed and inactive people with effective, timely, coordinated and tailor-made assistance based on support for job searches, training, up- and reskilling and access to other enabling services, paying particular attention to people in vulnerable situations and people negatively affected by the green and digital transitions or labour market shocks, as well as those furthest away from the labour market. The ESF should continue to focus on youth unemployment and the issue of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) through the prevention of early leaving from education and training, and structural improvement of the school-to-work transition, including through the full implementation of the reinforced Youth Guarantee, which should also support quality youth employment opportunities. In addition, the ESF should continue to invest in skills crucial for the green and digital transitions. | (13) The ESF should support employment, equal access for all to the labour market, fair and quality working conditions, labour mobility and social inclusion. The ESF should support Member States in providing support to unemployed and inactive people with effective, timely, coordinated and tailor-made assistance based on support for job searches, training, up- and reskilling and access to other enabling services, paying particular attention to people in vulnerable situations and people negatively affected by the green and digital transitions or labour market shocks, as well as those furthest away from the labour market. As a central element of its implementation, the European Social Fund should not finance activities that undermine workers' rights or promote forms of precariousness, with respect for fundamental social standards. The ESF should continue to focus on youth unemployment and the issue of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) through the prevention of early leaving from education and training, and structural improvement of the school-to-work transition, including through the full implementation of the reinforced Youth Guarantee, which should also support quality youth employment opportunities. In addition, the ESF should continue to invest in skills crucial for the green and digital transitions. |
Or. en
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (15) The ESF should facilitate access to services, including the strengthening of the modernisation, digitalisation and the resilience of both healthcare and long-term care services. The ESF should support Member States in implementing measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for all, and in particular for groups that are under-represented in the labour market, ensuring equal access to services. The availability of affordable, sustainable and high-quality services such as early childhood education and care, out-of-school care, education, training, and health and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services, is a necessary condition for ensuring equal opportunities and labour mobility. The ESF should ensure that everyone, including children in line with the European Child Guarantee, have access to essential services of good quality. The specific needs of persons with disabilities, including accessibility, should be taken into account in relation to those services as well as independent living. The ESF should also contribute to the modernisation of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility. | (15) In order to address the persistently high level of child poverty in the Union, and in line with Principle 11 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which states that children have the right to protection from poverty and that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have the right to specific measures to enhance equal opportunities, Member States should implement the Child Guarantee. The Child Guarantee has a dedicated budget. The ESF should facilitate access to services, including the strengthening of the modernisation, digitalisation and the resilience of both healthcare and long-term care services. The ESF should support Member States in implementing measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for all, and in particular for groups that are under-represented in the labour market, ensuring equal access to services. The availability of affordable, sustainable and high-quality services such as early childhood education and care, out-of-school care, education, training, and health and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services, is a necessary condition for ensuring equal opportunities and labour mobility. The ESF should ensure that everyone, including children in line with the European Child Guarantee, have access to essential services of good quality. The specific needs of persons with disabilities, including accessibility, should be taken into account in relation to those services as well as independent living. The ESF should also contribute to the modernisation of social protection systems with a view in particular to promoting their accessibility. |
Or. en
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (16a) With a view to rendering policies more responsive to social change as well as to encouraging and supporting innovative solutions, support for social innovation is crucial. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions before scaling them up is instrumental in improving the efficiency of the policies. Social economy enterprises play a key role in delivering on social innovation and delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights. |
Or. en
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (16b) Support through the ESF should be used to achieve high levels of social-economic inclusion in societies, especially by supporting the social inclusion of groups in vulnerable positions. |
Or. en
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (18) Regulation (EU) [National Plan Regulation] requires that Member States respect horizontal principles in the preparation and implementation of the national and regional partnership plans. In this context, Member States should also be encouraged to use the ESF to supports targeted actions to promote horizontal principles such as the promotion of gender equality and ensuring the accessibility of services for people with disabilities and to enable people with disabilities to actively participate. | (18) Member States shall respect horizontal principles in the preparation and implementation of their programmes. In this context, Member States should also be encouraged to use the ESF to supports targeted actions to promote horizontal principles such as the promotion of gender equality and ensuring the accessibility of services for people with disabilities and to enable people with disabilities to actively participate. The implementation of the ESF should respect the principles and values of Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Member States should also respect the obligations set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. |
Or. en
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (18a) Social conditionality includes the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including the declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the eight fundamental conventions of the ILO and the International Bill of Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular the prohibition of slavery and forced labour, the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) and the principle of non-discrimination and alignment with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. |
Or. en
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (23) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF depends on good governance and partnership between all actors at the relevant territorial levels and the socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners and civil society. It is therefore essential that Member States encourage the participation of social partners and civil society in the implementation of the ESF. Member States that have received a country-specific recommendation in this area should allocate resources of the ESF to promote the capacity building of social partners and civil society organisations.] | (23) The implementation of the ESF is based on an effective and structured partnership between public authorities, social partners, civil society organisations and local and regional authorities. It is therefore essential that Member States facilitate the participation of social partners, civil society and local and regional authorities in the implementation of the ESF and the development of projects. Member States that have received a country-specific recommendation in this area should allocate resources of the ESF to promote the capacity building of social partners and civil society organisations. |
Or. en
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) This Regulation lays down specific conditions for the implementation of the European Social Fund for the 2028-2034 programming period as part of the Union support in accordance with the general objectives laid down in Article 2 of Regulation XX [NRP Plan Regulation], and in particular point (b) and (e) thereof. | (1) This Regulation establishes the European Social Fund (the ‘ESF’). |
Or. en
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2) This Union support shall be provided under the National and Regional Partnership Plan, in accordance with the rules set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRP Plan]. | (2) This Regulation lays down the objectives of the ESF, its budget for the period 2028 to 2035, the methods of implementation, the forms of Union funding and the rules for providing such funding. |
Or. en
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 1a | |
| Definitions | |
| 1. For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: | |
| (1) ‘lifelong learning’ means learning in all its forms, namely, formal, non-formal and informal learning, that takes place at all stages in life and results in an improvement or an update in knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes or in participation in society in a personal, civic, cultural, social or employment-related perspective, including the provision of counselling and guidance services, including early childhood education and care, general education, vocational education and training, higher education, adult education, youth work and other learning settings outside formal education and training and it typically promotes cross-sectoral cooperation and flexible learning pathways; | |
| (2) ‘third-country national’ means a person who is not a citizen of the Union, including stateless persons and persons with an undetermined nationality; | |
| (3) ‘basic material assistance’ means goods which fulfil the basic needs of a person for a life with dignity, such as clothing, hygiene goods, including feminine hygiene products, and school material; | |
| (4) ‘group in a disadvantaged position’ means a group of people in a vulnerable situation, including people experiencing or at risk of poverty, social exclusion or discrimination in its multiple dimensions; | |
| (5) ‘key competences’ means the knowledge, skills and competences that all individuals need, at any stage of their lives, for their personal fulfilment and development, employment, social inclusion and active citizenship, namely, literacy; multilingualism; mathematics, science, technology, arts and engineering; digital skills; media skills; personal, social and learning to learn skills; active citizenship skills; entrepreneurship; cultural and intercultural awareness and expression; and critical thinking; | |
| (6) ‘most deprived persons’ means natural persons, whether individuals, families, households or groups of persons, including children in vulnerable situations and homeless people, whose need for assistance has been established according to the objective criteria which are set by the national competent authorities in consultation with relevant stakeholders while avoiding conflicts of interest, and which may include elements that allow for the targeting of the most deprived persons in certain geographical areas; | |
| (7) ‘social conditionality’ means full respect for workers’ rights and prerogatives as enshrined in Union, national and other relevant law and in applicable collective agreements as a conditionality for receiving public funding; | |
| (8) ‘social innovation’ means an activity that is social as regards both its ends and its means, in particular an activity which relates to the development and implementation of new ideas concerning products, services, practices and models that simultaneously meets social needs and creates new social relationships or collaborations between public, civil society or private organisations, thereby benefiting society and boosting its capacity to act; | |
| (9) ‘accompanying measure’ means an activity provided in addition to the distribution of food and/or basic material assistance with the aim of addressing social exclusion and contributing to the eradication of poverty, such as referrals to or providing social and health services, including psychological support, or providing relevant information on public services or advice on managing a household budget; | |
| (10) ‘social experimentation’ means a policy intervention that aims to provide an innovative response to social needs, implemented on a small scale and in conditions that enable its impact to be measured, prior to being implemented in other contexts including geographical and sectorial ones, or implemented on a larger scale, if the results prove to be positive; | |
| (11) ‘cross-border partnership’ means a structure of cooperation between public employment services, the social partners or civil society located in at least two Member States; | |
| (12) ‘microenterprise’ means an enterprise with fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet below EUR 2 000 000; | |
| (13) ‘social enterprise’ means an undertaking, regardless of its legal form, including social economy enterprises, or a natural person which: | |
| (a) in accordance with its articles of association, with its statutes or with any other legal document that may result in liability under the rules of the Member State where a social enterprise is located, has the achievement of measurable, positive social impacts, which may include environmental impacts, as its primary social objective rather than the generation of profit for other purposes, and which provides services or goods that generate a social return or employs methods of production of goods or services that embody social objectives; | |
| (b) uses its profits first and foremost to achieve its primary social objective, and has predefined procedures and rules that ensure that the distribution of profits does not undermine the primary social objective; | |
| (c) is managed in an entrepreneurial, participatory, accountable and transparent manner, in particular by involving workers, customers and stakeholders on whom its business activities have an impact; | |
| (15) ‘cost of purchasing food and/or basic material assistance’ means the actual costs which are linked to the purchase of food and/or basic material assistance by the beneficiary and are not limited to the price of the food and/or basic material assistance; | |
| (16) ‘microfinance’ includes guarantees, microcredit, equity and quasi-equity, coupled with accompanying business development services such as those provided in the form of individual counselling, training and mentoring, extended to persons and microenterprises that experience difficulties accessing credit for the purpose of professional and revenue-generating activities; | |
| (17) ‘blending operation’ means an action supported by the Union budget, including within a blending facility or platform as defined in Article 2, point (6), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a (the Financial Regulation), combining non-repayable forms of support or financial instruments from the Union budget with repayable forms of support from development or other public finance institutions, as well as from commercial finance institutions and investors; | |
| (18) ‘legal entity’ means a natural person, or a legal person created and recognised as such under Union, national, or international law, which has legal personality and the capacity to act in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity which does not have legal personality as referred to in Article 197(2), point (c), of the Financial Regulation; | |
| (19) ‘relevant country-specific recommendations’ mean Council recommendations adopted in accordance with Articles 121(2) and 148(4) TFEU relating to structural challenges as well as complementary Commission recommendations issued in accordance with Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council1b, which are appropriate to be addressed through multiannual investments that fall within the scope of the Funds as set out in Fund-specific Regulations. | |
| 2. Where relevant, the definitions set out in Article 4 of [NRPP Regulation] shall apply. | |
| 1a Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union1a (the Financial Regulation (OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj). | |
| 1b Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1). |
Or. en
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 1b | |
| General objectives of the ESF | |
| 1. The ESF aims to support Member States and regions to achieve high employment levels, fair social protection and a skilled and resilient workforce ready for the future world of work, as well as inclusive and cohesive societies aiming to eradicating poverty and delivering on the principles set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights and the headline targets of the Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights. | |
| 2. The ESF shall support, complement and add value to the policies of Member States to ensure equal opportunities, equal access to the labour market, fair working conditions, social protection and inclusion. In particular, it shall promote the creation of quality jobs, as well as focusing on quality and inclusive education and training, lifelong learning, investment in children and young people and access to basic services. | |
| 3. The ESF aims to support Member States towards achieving high social and economic inclusion, especially for groups and people in vulnerable situations. |
Or. en
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| ESF support | Specific objectives of the ESF |
Or. en
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) The European Social Fund (ESF) shall support the specific objectives set out in Article 3 of Regulation XX [NRP Plan Regulation]. | (1) The ESF shall support the following specific objectives in the policy areas of employment and labour mobility, education, social inclusion, including contributing to poverty eradication: |
| (a) improving access to employment and activation measures for all jobseekers, in particular young people, especially through the implementation of the Youth Guarantee, for long-term unemployed and groups in a disadvantaged position on the labour market, for persons with disabilities or chronic diseases, and for inactive people, as well as through the promotion of self-employment and the social economy; | |
| (b) modernising labour market institutions and services to assess and anticipate skills needs and ensure timely and tailor-made assistance and support for labour market matching, transitions and mobility; | |
| (c) promoting a gender-balanced labour market participation, equal working conditions, and a better work-life balance including through access to affordable childcare, and care for dependent persons; | |
| (d) promoting the adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs, active and healthy ageing and a healthy and well-adapted working environment that addresses health risks; | |
| (e) improving the quality, inclusiveness, effectiveness and labour market relevance of education and training systems including through validation of non-formal and informal learning, to support acquisition of key competences including entrepreneurial and digital skills, and by promoting the introduction of dual-training systems and apprenticeships; | |
| (f) promoting equal access to and completion of quality and inclusive education and training, in particular for groups in disadvantaged positions, from early childhood education and care through general and vocational education and training, to tertiary level, as well as adult education and learning, including facilitating learning mobility for all and accessibility for persons with disabilities; | |
| (g) promoting lifelong learning, in particular flexible upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all taking into account entrepreneurial and digital skills, better anticipating change and new skills requirements based on labour market needs, facilitating career transitions and promoting professional mobility; | |
| (h) promoting women’s employment and the social and economic inclusion of women; | |
| (i) fostering active inclusion with a view to promoting equal opportunities, non-discrimination and active participation, and improving employability, in particular for groups in vulnerable positions; | |
| (j) promoting the socio-economic integration of third-country nationals; | |
| (k) promoting the socio-economic integration of marginalised communities, such as Roma people; | |
| (l) enhancing equal and timely access to quality, sustainable and affordable services, including services that promote the access to housing and person-centred care including healthcare; modernising social protection systems, including promoting access to social protection, with a particular focus on children and groups in a disadvantaged position; improving accessibility including for persons with disabilities, effectiveness and resilience of healthcare systems and long-term care services; | |
| (m) promoting the social integration of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion, including the most deprived persons and children; | |
| (n) addressing material deprivation through food and/or basic material assistance to the most deprived persons, including children, and providing accompanying measures supporting their social inclusion; | |
| (o) facilitating the just transition through reskilling and job creation, emphasising on decent work; | |
| (p) addressing homelessness. |
Or. en
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2) For the purpose of paragraph 1, Member States use of the ESF shall, for the purposes of Article 2, point (b) of Regulation XX [NRP Plan], be based on the guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, as provided for in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty, set out in the Decision (EU) xxxx [Employment guidelines adopted by the Council at the latest by 1 January 2027]. | deleted |
Or. en
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 2a | |
| Budget | |
| The financial envelope for the implementation of the European Social Fund shall be EUR 124 190 000 000 in current prices. | |
| The part of the financial envelope for the implementation of the Child Guarantee shall be a dedicated budget of EUR 20 000 000 000. | |
| The part of the financial envelope for the implementation of Article 8(1) shall be EUR 1 000 000 000. |
Or. en
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 2b | |
| Thematic concentrations | |
| 1. Member States shall allocate at least 30 % of their resources of the ESF to the specific objectives for the social inclusion policy area set out in Article 3, point (h) to (o) including the promotion of the socio-economic integration of third-country nationals. | |
| 2. Member States shall allocate at least 5 % of their ESF resources to tackling child poverty and the implementation of the Child Guarantee. Those Member States with a rate of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion above the Union average shall allocate 10% of their resources to tackling child poverty and the implementation of the Child Guarantee. | |
| 3. Member States shall allocate at least 5% of their resources to targeted measures to tackle homelessness. | |
| 4. Member States shall allocate at least 15% of their resources of the ESF to targeted actions and structural reforms to support youth employment, vocational education and training, in particular apprenticeships, and the transition from school to work, pathways to reintegrate into education or training and second chance education, in particular in the context of implementing schemes under the Youth Guarantee. When implementing targeted actions and structural reforms referred to in this paragraph, Member States shall give priority to inactive and long-term unemployed young people and put in place targeted outreach measures. | |
| 5. Member States shall allocate at least 5% of their resources of the ESF to address material deprivation, including through food aid and basic material assistance. The co-financing rate for this thematic concentration shall be 90%. |
Or. en
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 2c | |
| Methods of implementation | |
| 1. The ESF shall be implemented: | |
| (a) under shared management, in accordance with Article 62(1), point (b), of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a , for the part of the assistance which corresponds to the specific objectives set out in Article 4 of this Regulation; and | |
| (b) under direct management, in accordance with Article 62(1), point (a), of the Financial Regulation, for the part of the assistance which corresponds to the objectives set out in Article 8 of this Regulation. | |
| 2. Article 17(1), point (3), of [NRPP Regulation] shall apply in the case of pre-financing the projects. | |
| ----------------------------- | |
| 1a Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2509/oj). |
Or. en
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2a) Innovative actions may be programmed under any of the specific objectives set out in Article 4(1), points (a) to (h). |
Or. en
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Member States and regions shall, where appropriate, set out an integrated approach to addressing challenges stemming from the demographic transition in one or more dedicated chapters of the National Regional and Partnership Plan. | Member States and regions shall, where appropriate, set out an integrated approach to addressing challenges stemming from the demographic transition, such as in labour markets and pensions. |
Or. en
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 5a | |
| Support for relevant country-specific recommendations | |
| The actions addressing the challenges identified in relevant country-specific recommendations and in the European Semester shall be programmed under any of the specific objectives set out in Article 4 to support the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights where the specific recommendations can be linked to the EPSR. |
Or. en
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 5b | |
| Horizontal principles | |
| 1. Member States shall design the measures in the programme in a way that ensures respect for: | |
| (a) the principles of the rule of law as set out in Article 2, point (a), and Article 3 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a; | |
| (b) the rights, freedoms and principles set out in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. | |
| 2. The Commission and the Member States shall ensure that gender equality, gender mainstreaming and the integration of gender perspective are taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the ESF. Member States and the Commission shall aim to increase the participation of women in employment as well as conciliation between working and personal life, combat the feminisation of poverty and gender discrimination in the labour market and in education and training. | |
| 3. The Commission and the Member States shall take appropriate steps to prevent any discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation during the preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and evaluation of the operations of the ESF. | |
| 4. Member States and the Commission shall ensure respect for fundamental rights and compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in the implementation of the ESF. | |
| 5. Articles 8 and 9 of [NRPP Regulation] shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the implementation of the ESF. | |
| 1a Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2092 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on a general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (OJ L 433I, 22.12.2020, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/2092/oj). |
Or. en
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 5c | |
| Financial Framework | |
| Articles 13, 14, 15, 16 of [NRPP Regulation] shall apply mutatis mutandis to this Regulation. |
Or. en
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 d (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 5d | |
| Eligibility | |
| 1. The following costs shall not be eligible for general support from the ESF strand under shared management: | |
| (a) the purchase of land and real estate as well as infrastructure; and | |
| (b) the purchase of furniture, equipment and vehicles, except where such purchase is necessary for achieving the objective of the operation, or those items are fully depreciated during the operation, or the purchase of those items is the most economic option. | |
| 2. Contributions in kind in the form of allowances or salaries disbursed by a third party for the benefit of the participants in an operation may be eligible for a contribution from general support from the ESF strand under shared management provided that the contributions in kind are incurred in accordance with national rules, including accountancy rules, and do not exceed the cost borne by the third party. | |
| 3. The specific additional allocation received by the outermost regions and the NUTS level 2 regions fulfilling the criteria laid down in Article 2 of Protocol No 6 to the act concerning the conditions of accession of the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden and the adjustments to the Treaties on which the European Union is founded shall be used to support the achievement of the specific objectives set out in Article 4(1) of this Regulation. | |
| 4. Direct staff costs shall be eligible for a contribution from general support from the ESF strand under shared management if they are in line with the beneficiary’s usual remuneration practice for the category of function concerned or in line with applicable national law, collective agreements or official statistics. |
Or. en
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (5) For the purposes of this Article, ‘most deprived persons’ means natural persons, whether individuals, families, households or groups of persons, including children in vulnerable situations and homeless people, whose need for assistance has been established according to the objective criteria which are set by the national competent authorities in consultation with relevant stakeholders while avoiding conflicts of interest, and which may include elements that allow for the targeting of the most deprived persons in certain geographical areas. | deleted |
Or. en
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Member States shall ensure meaningful participation of the social partners and civil society organisations in the delivery of support for quality employment, education and skills and social inclusion policies in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation XX [NRP Plan]. | 1. Each Member State shall organise and implement a comprehensive partnership in accordance with its institutional and legal framework to ensure meaningful participation in the delivery of support for quality employment, education and skills and social inclusion policies. |
Or. en
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1a. The comprehensive partnerships referred to in paragraph 1 shall include at least the following partners: | |
| (a) regional, local, urban and other public authorities; | |
| (b) social partners; | |
| (c) relevant bodies representing civil society, such as environmental partners, non-governmental organisations, and bodies responsible for promoting social inclusion, fundamental rights, rights of persons with disabilities, gender equality and non-discrimination; | |
| (d) research organisations and universities, where appropriate. |
Or. en
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1b. Member States shall ensure that the comprehensive partnerships referred to in paragraph 1 comply with this Article through all phases, including the preparation, implementation and evaluation of the European Social Fund Plans. |
Or. en
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1c. Member States shall allocate an appropriate amount of their resources of the ESF to capacity building of the social partners and civil society organisations, including in the form of training, networking measures, and strengthening of the social dialogue, and to activities jointly undertaken by the social partners. Member State shall allocate an appropriate amount of at least 0,25 % of its resources of the ESF for that purpose. |
Or. en
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee set up under Article 163 TFEU (‘the ESF Committee’) with regard to the support provided for the general objective referred to in Article 3(1), point (c) [specific objective – employment] of Regulation XX [NRP Plan]. | (1) The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee set up under Article 163 TFEU (‘the ESF Committee’) with regard to objectives of this Regulation. |
Or. en
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 8a | |
| Preparation and submission of the ESF Programme | |
| 1. Each Member State shall prepare and submit to the Commission an ESF Programme which sets out arrangements for using the Programme in an effective and efficient way for the period from 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2034. The Member State shall make the Plan Programme submitted to the Commission public. | |
| 2. Each ESF programme shall set out the relevant Member State’s agenda of reforms, measures, investments and other interventions. | |
| 3. Each Member State shall prepare and implement its ESF Programme in partnership in accordance with Article 12, including the participation of regional and local authorities, and in accordance with their institutional, legal and financial framework. | |
| 4. Only measures whose implementation started from 1 January 2028 shall be eligible for financing provided that they comply with the relevant requirements. |
Or. en
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 8b | |
| Content of the ESF Programme | |
| Each ESF Programme shall contain the following elements: | |
| (a) a summary of the policy choices and the main results expected for the ESF; | |
| (b) complementarities between the ESF and other Union instruments; | |
| (c) the preliminary financial allocation of the ESF by policy objective at national level, respecting ESF-specific rules on thematic concentration; | |
| (d) the list of planned programmes under the ESF with the respective preliminary financial allocations and the corresponding national contribution by category of regions; | |
| (e) a summary of the actions which the Member State concerned shall take to reinforce its administrative capacity of the implementation of the ESF. |
Or. en
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 8c | |
| Approval of the ESF Programmes | |
| 1. The Commission shall assess each ESF Programme and shall ensure that it complies with this Regulation and other applicable rules. In its assessment, the Commission shall, in particular, take into account relevant country-specific recommendations. | |
| 2. The Commission may make observations within three months of the date of submission by the Member State of its ESF Programme. | |
| 3. The Member State shall review the ESF Programme taking into account any observations made by the Commission. |
Or. en
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 d (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 8d | |
| Monitoring committee | |
| 1. Each Member State shall set up a committee to monitor the implementation of the programme (‘monitoring committee’), in accordance with Article 55 of [NRPP Regulation]. | |
| 2. The monitoring committee shall approve: | |
| (a) the methodology and criteria used for the selection of operations, including any changes thereto; at the request of the Commission, the methodology and criteria used for the selection of operations, including any changes thereto, shall be submitted to the Commission at least 15 working days prior to their submission to the monitoring committee; | |
| (b) the evaluation plan and any amendment thereto; | |
| (c) any proposal by the managing authority for the amendment of a programme. | |
| 3. The monitoring committee may make recommendations to the managing authority, including on measures to reduce the administrative burden for beneficiaries. |
Or. en
Amendment 46
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 e (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Article 8e | |
| Information, communication and publicity | |
| The recipients of Union funding shall acknowledge the origin of those funds and ensure the visibility of the Union funding, in particular when promoting the actions and their results, by providing coherent, effective and proportionate targeted information to multiple audiences, including the media and the public. |
Or. en
Explanatory statement 12 paragraphs
The European Social Fund (ESF) is the EU’s main tool to invest in people, contributing to a more social and inclusive Europe. It is a fund that has worked in service of this aim since its creation in the Treaty of Rome of 1958. It serves as the most important tool to deliver on the European Pillar of Social Rights. As such, it should continue to play a key role in the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) as a separate, standalone fund. When applicable, the National Regional Partnership Plan Regulation (NRP Regulation) defines the functioning and horizontal principles of the ESF.
In a time of crisis, the risk of vulnerable citizens being left poses a threat of longer-term harm to our economies and a blow to Europe’s competitiveness on the world stage. The Rapporteurs share the Commission’s view that the ESF speaks to an “economic necessity” to improve access to the labour market, reduce skills gaps and labour shortages, and address persistent rates of poverty, thereby investing in Europe’s best asset, its human capital.
A renewed ESF should be capable to respond to pressing social challenges and is part of a more agile MFF that improves procedures for applicants and beneficiaries, including smaller beneficiaries with less resources and reduces administrative burdens for beneficiaries, as long as this does not cause a reduction in their rights.
The Parliament’s priority for the European Social Fund is to have an instrument capable of “supporting the Member States, regions, local communities and people in strengthening the social dimension of the Union and in pursuing socio-economic development that leaves no one behind”. Investing in people means improving access to the labour market by investing in skills, mobility, social inclusion and mobility, which go hand in hand with combating poverty, therefore making Europe’s workforce more resilient.
Eradicating child poverty is also an investment in Europe’s future. In 2024, 1 in 4 children in the European Union were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, slightly higher than the AROPE rates across the general population. Children who experience poverty are at risk of adverse impacts on their development, health, and life prospects, which leads to enormous consequences for their lives and society as a whole. The Rapporteurs consider that the ESF requires a dedicated financial envelope to effectively and predictably deliver targeted investments where they are most needed, notably by bolstering support for the Child Guarantee, to contribute toward breaking cycles of poverty.
The Rapporteurs believe that ESF measures should be designed in accordance with general and specific objectives to best direct investments in priority areas, and that the ESF regulation is best placed to identify them. The current ESF+ objectives are retained, to ensure continuity and predictability, but with a new focus on reskilling and job creation, women’s employment, homelessness, and the inclusion of those suffering from disability and chronic disease.
Additionally, the Rapporteurs have re-introduced and reinforced ringfencing for priority areas such as the Child Guarantee, the Youth Guarantee, combating social exclusion, addressing material deprivation, and ending homelessness.
For the Child Guarantee, Member States should spend at least 5% of their ESF allocation on fighting child poverty. For those Member States with a rate of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion above the EU average, that percentage should be higher.
For the Youth Guarantee, Member States should spend at least 15% of their ESF allocation. Maintaining a focus on skilling and supporting young people through the Youth Guarantee will address the problem of youth unemployment. In February 2026, youth unemployment in the European Union was 15.3%, compared to the general unemployment rate of 6.2%. Meanwhile the rate of youths not in employment, education, or training (NEET), while slowly declining, was 9.0% in 2025, indicating that reaching inactive young people remains a priority.
In line with the Parliament’s call in its report 2024/2077(INI), the Rapporteurs propose to earmark 30% of resources to promote social inclusion, 5% to address material deprivation, including though food aid and basic material assistance, and 5% to tackle homelessness. The ESF should continue to function under shared management.
The way that ESF measures are designed are, in the view of the Rapporteurs, a core principle in ensuring their delivery and effectiveness. This is why the partnership principle is retained from the current ESF+ programme, in order to ensure the meaningful involvement of stakeholders to help Member States identify and reach beneficiaries, especially those who are marginalised. To help achieve this, the ESF should continue to fund support reaching the materially most deprived, with a focus on children. Such support requires a high cofinancing rate of 90% to ensure a reliable take-up and delivery.
The Rapporteurs firmly believe that funding should be conditional on adherence to the rule of law, and the ESF should conform to rule of law mechanism of the NRPP Regulation. Full respect of workers’ rights should be a requirement to receive public funding, including the ESF. ESF measures should also uphold the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, while also promoting access to employment for persons with disabilities and chronic diseases.
Annex: declarations of input 4 paragraphs
Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteurs declare that they included in their report input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that they received, in the preparation of the draft report, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:
| 1. Interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register |
| Red Cross EU |
| European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) |
| ETUC |
| Caritas Europa |
| Deutscher Caritasverband e. V. |
| Inclusion Europe |
| COFACE Families Europe |
| Eurochild |
| European Youth Forum |
| Special Olympics Europe Eurasia |
| European Anti-Poverty Network |
| European Disability Forum |
| Save the Children |
| PICUM |
| Eurocarers |
| European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) |
| Eurocities |
| European Food Banks Federation |
| CNV |
| DGB |
| 2. Representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies |
| None |
The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteurs.
Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteurs declare that they have submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.