opinion parliamentary committee draft, 5 March 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 FEMM-PA-785117 · (COM(2025)0558 – C10-0172/2025 – 2025/0239(COD))

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality · Rapporteur: Alessandra Moretti

Where the law stands · dossier 2025/0239 →

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Amendment 1
Amendment 2
Amendment 3
Amendment 4
Amendment 5
Amendment 6
Amendment 7
Amendment 8
Amendment 9
Amendment 10
Amendment 11
Amendment 12
Amendment 13
Amendment 14
Amendment 15
Amendment 16

Amendments 81 paragraphs

The Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality submits the following to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible :

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(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.	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 and demographic change, an ageing workforce, increasing inequalities, including persisting gender inequalities and increasing attacks against achieved women’s rights, lack of social housing, and growing skills and labour shortages in many sectors and regions.

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 transition, technological and demographic change, an ageing workforce, increasing inequalities, including persisting gender inequalities and increasing attacks against achieved women’s rights, lack of social housing, and growing skills and labour shortages in many sectors and regions.

Or. en

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(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 .	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, sustainable and gender responsive and by improving employment social and health policies, including in view of labour mobility and sectoral restructuring, paying attention to urban and rural areas that face particular social weaknesses

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 relevant skills, by making growth more inclusive, sustainable and gender responsive and by improving employment social and health 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 3

Read the rest (69 paragraphs)

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(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.	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 and sustainable 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 who are disproportionately affected by unemployment, underemployment, overrepresentation in part-time work, low-paid sectors, and labour market segmentation, together with young people, persons with disabilities, Roma communities and persons from other marginalised groups. Addressing widespread female unemployment is essential to closing labour market gaps, strengthening economic independence of women, and promoting social cohesion. The ESF should also facilitate 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 relying on flexible and remote working arrangements, paternity and shared parental care leave and ensuring access to quality and affordable childcare and other formal care services.

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 and sustainable 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 who are disproportionately affected by unemployment, underemployment, overrepresentation in part-time work, low-paid sectors, and labour market segmentation, together with young people, persons with disabilities, Roma communities and persons from other marginalised groups. Addressing widespread female unemployment is essential to closing labour market gaps, strengthening economic independence of women, and promoting social cohesion. The ESF should also facilitate 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 relying on flexible and remote working arrangements, paternity and shared parental care leave and ensuring access to quality and affordable childcare and other formal care services.

Or. en

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 8

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(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.	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 and eliminating the barriers currently limiting labour market participation, particularly for women, due to horizontal and vertical labour market segregation 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 and sustainability. 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.

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 and eliminating the barriers currently limiting labour market participation, particularly for women, due to horizontal and vertical labour market segregation 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 and sustainability. 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.

Or. en

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(9) The Union of Skills aims to support the development of quality, inclusive and adaptable education, training and skills systems to increase the Union’s competitiveness, preparedness, security and democracy. Therefore, in line with the Union of Skills, the Union should ensure sufficient funding to build solid skills foundations and promote lifelong and future-oriented upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all, in particular to address the challenges of the digital and green transitions. This will contribute to notably digital skills and key enabling technologies but also , skills to support emerging sectors, with a view to providing people with skills adjusted to digitalisation, technologically and innovation-driven changes, social and economic change, facilitating career transitions, mobility and supporting in particular low-skilled or poorly qualified adults. In line with the Union of Skills, the challenges of the digital and green transitions need to be addressed by upskilling and reskilling workers, aligning education with industry needs, and fostering partnerships among educational institutions, employers, and public authorities. It is also necessary to enhance circulation and adequate allocation of skills in the internal market, including through easier skills portability, and be able to attract and retain skills in the EU.	Amendment(9) The Union of Skills aims to support the development of quality, inclusive and adaptable education, training and skills systems to increase the Union’s competitiveness, preparedness, security and democracy. This entails the identification and elimination of structural, institutional, and systemic barriers that impede or restrict full and equal participation of women in the digital and technological sector, including in leadership positions. The Union should, therefore, address gender stereotypes that influence subject choices at school and the limited access to digital upskilling and reskilling opportunities for women in the labour market. In line with the Union of Skills, the Union should ensure sufficient funding to build solid skills foundations and promote lifelong and future-oriented upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all, in particular to address the challenges of the digital and green transitions, giving priority to initiatives that empower women’s entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities, women in leadership roles, with a focus on increasing women’s participation in decision-making processes, and particularly, but not only, for women in business and the STEM sector. This will contribute to notably enhance digital skills and key enabling technologies but also, skills to support emerging sectors, with a view to providing people with skills adjusted to digitalisation, technologically and innovation-driven changes, social and economic change, facilitating career transitions, mobility and supporting in particular women and girls, low-skilled or poorly qualified adults. In line with the Union of Skills, the challenges of the digital and green transitions need to be addressed by upskilling and reskilling workers, aligning education with industry needs, and fostering partnerships among educational institutions, employers, and public authorities. It is of the utmost importance to improve education opportunities and modernise vocational education and training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with a particular focus on women and girls, in order to overcome the current gender gaps in the STEM fields’ workforce, to ensure women's broader participation in the field and guarantee their equal access to this sector, which offers higher salaries and better career prospects, and to enhance awareness about opportunities and risks concerning new technologies such as artificial intelligence. It is also necessary to enhance circulation and adequate allocation of skills in the internal market, including through easier skills portability, and be able to attract and retain skills in the EU.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(9) The Union of Skills aims to support the development of quality, inclusive and adaptable education, training and skills systems to increase the Union’s competitiveness, preparedness, security and democracy. Therefore, in line with the Union of Skills, the Union should ensure sufficient funding to build solid skills foundations and promote lifelong and future-oriented upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all, in particular to address the challenges of the digital and green transitions. This will contribute to notably digital skills and key enabling technologies but also , skills to support emerging sectors, with a view to providing people with skills adjusted to digitalisation, technologically and innovation-driven changes, social and economic change, facilitating career transitions, mobility and supporting in particular low-skilled or poorly qualified adults. In line with the Union of Skills, the challenges of the digital and green transitions need to be addressed by upskilling and reskilling workers, aligning education with industry needs, and fostering partnerships among educational institutions, employers, and public authorities. It is also necessary to enhance circulation and adequate allocation of skills in the internal market, including through easier skills portability, and be able to attract and retain skills in the EU.

(9) The Union of Skills aims to support the development of quality, inclusive and adaptable education, training and skills systems to increase the Union’s competitiveness, preparedness, security and democracy. This entails the identification and elimination of structural, institutional, and systemic barriers that impede or restrict full and equal participation of women in the digital and technological sector, including in leadership positions. The Union should, therefore, address gender stereotypes that influence subject choices at school and the limited access to digital upskilling and reskilling opportunities for women in the labour market. In line with the Union of Skills, the Union should ensure sufficient funding to build solid skills foundations and promote lifelong and future-oriented upskilling and reskilling opportunities for all, in particular to address the challenges of the digital and green transitions, giving priority to initiatives that empower women’s entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities, women in leadership roles, with a focus on increasing women’s participation in decision-making processes, and particularly, but not only, for women in business and the STEM sector. This will contribute to notably enhance digital skills and key enabling technologies but also, skills to support emerging sectors, with a view to providing people with skills adjusted to digitalisation, technologically and innovation-driven changes, social and economic change, facilitating career transitions, mobility and supporting in particular women and girls, low-skilled or poorly qualified adults. In line with the Union of Skills, the challenges of the digital and green transitions need to be addressed by upskilling and reskilling workers, aligning education with industry needs, and fostering partnerships among educational institutions, employers, and public authorities. It is of the utmost importance to improve education opportunities and modernise vocational education and training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with a particular focus on women and girls, in order to overcome the current gender gaps in the STEM fields’ workforce, to ensure women's broader participation in the field and guarantee their equal access to this sector, which offers higher salaries and better career prospects, and to enhance awareness about opportunities and risks concerning new technologies such as artificial intelligence. It is also necessary to enhance circulation and adequate allocation of skills in the internal market, including through easier skills portability, and be able to attract and retain skills in the EU.

Or. en

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(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].	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, in compliance with the guidelines and general principles. 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].

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 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, in compliance with the guidelines and general principles. 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].

Or. en

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 13

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(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.	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 aim to fight gender segregation in education, training and subsequently in employment. Furthermore, the ESF should promote the transition of women engaged in informal non-remunerated caregiving work into paid employment, in order to reduce their risk of long-term unemployment and labour market detachment and economic dependence. It is crucial also to support women’s reintegration into paid work after pregnancy, maternity and parental leave and ensure adequate conditions for breastfeeding in the workplace. 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.

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 aim to fight gender segregation in education, training and subsequently in employment. Furthermore, the ESF should promote the transition of women engaged in informal non-remunerated caregiving work into paid employment, in order to reduce their risk of long-term unemployment and labour market detachment and economic dependence. It is crucial also to support women’s reintegration into paid work after pregnancy, maternity and parental leave and ensure adequate conditions for breastfeeding in the workplace. 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 8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 15

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(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.	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, including health services. The availability of affordable, sustainable and high-quality services such as early childhood education and care, out-of-school care, education, training, gender-sensitive health and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services, is a necessary condition for ensuring equal opportunities, equal pay, equal pension, and labour mobility. For this purpose, the ESF should promote investments in early accessible and high-quality childhood education and care and in community-based and home-care services so that Member States will be able to create the conditions for inclusive labour markets and a more resilient economic growth. 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. Women experience different health patterns then men including, inter alia, sexual and reproductive health requirements, maternal health considerations, menopause-related conditions and a disproportionately higher incidence of certain chronic diseases. The ESF must support Member States in shaping gender sensitive healthcare systems, addressing gender-specific health needs. On 26 February 2026, the European Commission stated that unsafe abortion is a matter of public health and that access to abortion is needed to fulfill the Treaties' requirements. In the absence of a dedicated budget line under a Union health-related programme, which would be highly necessary and politically more appropriate, the ESF should be used by Member States, on a voluntary basis, and in accordance with their national law, to give access to affordable and safe abortion for all women in the Union who could not afford it otherwise, no matter where they live, whatever their nationality or place of residence are, including for women from countries were abortion is illegal.

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, including health services. The availability of affordable, sustainable and high-quality services such as early childhood education and care, out-of-school care, education, training, gender-sensitive health and long-term care, in particular family and community-based care services, is a necessary condition for ensuring equal opportunities, equal pay, equal pension, and labour mobility. For this purpose, the ESF should promote investments in early accessible and high-quality childhood education and care and in community-based and home-care services so that Member States will be able to create the conditions for inclusive labour markets and a more resilient economic growth. 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. Women experience different health patterns then men including, inter alia, sexual and reproductive health requirements, maternal health considerations, menopause-related conditions and a disproportionately higher incidence of certain chronic diseases. The ESF must support Member States in shaping gender sensitive healthcare systems, addressing gender-specific health needs. On 26 February 2026, the European Commission stated that unsafe abortion is a matter of public health and that access to abortion is needed to fulfill the Treaties' requirements. In the absence of a dedicated budget line under a Union health-related programme, which would be highly necessary and politically more appropriate, the ESF should be used by Member States, on a voluntary basis, and in accordance with their national law, to give access to affordable and safe abortion for all women in the Union who could not afford it otherwise, no matter where they live, whatever their nationality or place of residence are, including for women from countries were abortion is illegal.

Or. en

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 16

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(16) Support through the ESF should be used to promote equal opportunities for all, to support strong social safety nets, foster social inclusion, intergenerational fairness and fight poverty. The ESF should support Member States’ efforts to tackle poverty, including by addressing material deprivation, with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities. This implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, including children in poverty, marginalised communities such as the Roma, the working poor and the most deprived. The ESF should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration. The ESF should also tackle homelessness, including with prevention and alleviation measures in line with the Lisbon declaration of 2021. Support to social innovation plays an important role in achieving these objectives and should therefore be promoted.	Amendment(16) Support through the ESF should be used to promote equal opportunities for all, to support strong social safety nets, foster social inclusion, intergenerational fairness and fight poverty, including poverty which is strongly related to child poverty. The ESF should support Member States’ efforts to tackle poverty, including by addressing material deprivation, with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities including the unequal access to safe and legal abortion that varies between different Member States. This implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, place of residence, including children in poverty, marginalised communities such as the Roma, the working poor and the most deprived. The ESF should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration. The ESF should also tackle homelessness, taking into account that women experience homelessness differently than men, including with prevention and alleviation measures in line with the Lisbon declaration of 2021. Support to social innovation plays an important role in achieving these objectives and should therefore be promoted. Gender mainstreaming is a horizontal principle across the ESF. As a consequence, it has to be embedded in the design, implementation, and monitoring of all programmes in order to address and eliminate women and girls disproportionate exposure to poverty and intersectional discrimination. The gender poverty gap is expected to increase by 2030 as women will still be the majority of the world's extreme poor. The risk of poverty and social exclusion is disproportionally high for women in vulnerable situations and concerned by intersectional discrimination, such as older women, single women, women with children and single mothers, refugee and migrant women, women of colour, women from ethnic minorities, homosexual, bisexual and transgender women and women with disabilities. Women living in poverty face a higher risk of experiencing violence, including intimate partner violence and domestic violence, due to factors such as financial dependency, housing insecurity, and reduced access to support services. Moreover, women living in poverty and vulnerable situations are often deprived from access to affordable and safe abortion, in particular when they live in countries where abortion is illegal and cannot afford to travel abroad.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(16) Support through the ESF should be used to promote equal opportunities for all, to support strong social safety nets, foster social inclusion, intergenerational fairness and fight poverty. The ESF should support Member States’ efforts to tackle poverty, including by addressing material deprivation, with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities. This implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, including children in poverty, marginalised communities such as the Roma, the working poor and the most deprived. The ESF should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration. The ESF should also tackle homelessness, including with prevention and alleviation measures in line with the Lisbon declaration of 2021. Support to social innovation plays an important role in achieving these objectives and should therefore be promoted.

(16) Support through the ESF should be used to promote equal opportunities for all, to support strong social safety nets, foster social inclusion, intergenerational fairness and fight poverty, including poverty which is strongly related to child poverty. The ESF should support Member States’ efforts to tackle poverty, including by addressing material deprivation, with a view to breaking the cycle of disadvantage across generations and promote social inclusion by ensuring equal opportunities for all, tackling discrimination and addressing health inequalities including the unequal access to safe and legal abortion that varies between different Member States. This implies mobilising a range of policies targeting the most disadvantaged people regardless of their age, place of residence, including children in poverty, marginalised communities such as the Roma, the working poor and the most deprived. The ESF should promote the active inclusion of people far from the labour market with a view to ensuring their socio-economic integration. The ESF should also tackle homelessness, taking into account that women experience homelessness differently than men, including with prevention and alleviation measures in line with the Lisbon declaration of 2021. Support to social innovation plays an important role in achieving these objectives and should therefore be promoted. Gender mainstreaming is a horizontal principle across the ESF. As a consequence, it has to be embedded in the design, implementation, and monitoring of all programmes in order to address and eliminate women and girls disproportionate exposure to poverty and intersectional discrimination. The gender poverty gap is expected to increase by 2030 as women will still be the majority of the world's extreme poor. The risk of poverty and social exclusion is disproportionally high for women in vulnerable situations and concerned by intersectional discrimination, such as older women, single women, women with children and single mothers, refugee and migrant women, women of colour, women from ethnic minorities, homosexual, bisexual and transgender women and women with disabilities. Women living in poverty face a higher risk of experiencing violence, including intimate partner violence and domestic violence, due to factors such as financial dependency, housing insecurity, and reduced access to support services. Moreover, women living in poverty and vulnerable situations are often deprived from access to affordable and safe abortion, in particular when they live in countries where abortion is illegal and cannot afford to travel abroad.

Or. en

Amendment 10

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 17

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(17) The principles of democracy, the rule of law and protection of fundamental rights are fundamental values of the Union. These values are fundamental for every single person, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Furthermore, they are instrumental for the effective implementation of the ESF. Therefore, the ESF should also support the promotion and implementation of these values for all. The ESF will also continue to address the rights of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It will also ensure coherence with the Union of Equality and its related Strategies1 that aim at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and ensure social cohesion by sustaining and developing open, fundamental rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law.	Amendment(17) The principles of democracy, the rule of law, equality, including gender equality, and protection of fundamental rights are fundamental values of the Union. These values are fundamental for every single person, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Furthermore, they are instrumental for the effective implementation of the ESF. Therefore, the ESF should also support the promotion and implementation of these values for all. The ESF will also continue to address the rights of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It will also ensure coherence with the Union of Equality and its related Strategies1 that aim at combating discrimination based on sex, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and ensure social cohesion by sustaining and developing open, fundamental rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(17) The principles of democracy, the rule of law and protection of fundamental rights are fundamental values of the Union. These values are fundamental for every single person, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Furthermore, they are instrumental for the effective implementation of the ESF. Therefore, the ESF should also support the promotion and implementation of these values for all. The ESF will also continue to address the rights of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It will also ensure coherence with the Union of Equality and its related Strategies1 that aim at combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and ensure social cohesion by sustaining and developing open, fundamental rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law.

(17) The principles of democracy, the rule of law, equality, including gender equality, and protection of fundamental rights are fundamental values of the Union. These values are fundamental for every single person, especially for those who are most vulnerable. Furthermore, they are instrumental for the effective implementation of the ESF. Therefore, the ESF should also support the promotion and implementation of these values for all. The ESF will also continue to address the rights of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It will also ensure coherence with the Union of Equality and its related Strategies1 that aim at combating discrimination based on sex, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and ensure social cohesion by sustaining and developing open, fundamental rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law.

Or. en

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Article 5 – paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionMember 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.	AmendmentThe Commission shall apply the gender mainstreaming approach when designing policy proposals, assessing their impact on tackling demographic challenges, such as population ageing, the shrinking working age population and the growing urban-rural divide. 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.

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.

The Commission shall apply the gender mainstreaming approach when designing policy proposals, assessing their impact on tackling demographic challenges, such as population ageing, the shrinking working age population and the growing urban-rural divide. 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.

Or. en

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – title

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the CommissionSupport for addressing material deprivation	AmendmentSupport for addressing material deprivation and poverty

Or. en

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission(2) Member States and beneficiaries shall choose the food and/or the basic material assistance on the basis of objective criteria related to the needs of the most deprived persons. The selection criteria for the food, and where appropriate for goods, shall also take into consideration climate-related and environmental aspects, in order to ensure a fair and just green transition, in particular with a view to reduction of food waste and single-use plastics. Where appropriate, the choice of the type of food to be distributed shall be made having considered their contribution to the balanced diet of the most deprived persons. The food and/or basic material assistance may be provided directly to the most deprived persons or indirectly, for example, through vouchers or cards, in electronic or other form, provided that they can be redeemed only against food and/or basic material assistance. Support for the most deprived persons shall be additional to any social benefit that may be provided by national social systems or according to national law.	Amendment(2) Member States and beneficiaries shall choose the food and/or the basic material assistance on the basis of objective criteria related to the needs of the most deprived persons, taking into account gender specific needs, such as essential menstrual products and hygiene facilities. The selection criteria for the food, and where appropriate for goods, shall also take into consideration climate-related and environmental aspects, in order to ensure a fair and just green transition, in particular with a view to reduction of food waste and single-use plastics. Where appropriate, the choice of the type of food to be distributed shall be made having considered their contribution to the balanced diet of the most deprived persons. The food and/or basic material assistance may be provided directly to the most deprived persons or indirectly, for example, through vouchers or cards, in electronic or other form, provided that they can be redeemed only against food and/or basic material assistance. Support for the most deprived persons shall be additional to any social benefit that may be provided by national social systems or according to national law.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(2) Member States and beneficiaries shall choose the food and/or the basic material assistance on the basis of objective criteria related to the needs of the most deprived persons. The selection criteria for the food, and where appropriate for goods, shall also take into consideration climate-related and environmental aspects, in order to ensure a fair and just green transition, in particular with a view to reduction of food waste and single-use plastics. Where appropriate, the choice of the type of food to be distributed shall be made having considered their contribution to the balanced diet of the most deprived persons. The food and/or basic material assistance may be provided directly to the most deprived persons or indirectly, for example, through vouchers or cards, in electronic or other form, provided that they can be redeemed only against food and/or basic material assistance. Support for the most deprived persons shall be additional to any social benefit that may be provided by national social systems or according to national law.

(2) Member States and beneficiaries shall choose the food and/or the basic material assistance on the basis of objective criteria related to the needs of the most deprived persons, taking into account gender specific needs, such as essential menstrual products and hygiene facilities. The selection criteria for the food, and where appropriate for goods, shall also take into consideration climate-related and environmental aspects, in order to ensure a fair and just green transition, in particular with a view to reduction of food waste and single-use plastics. Where appropriate, the choice of the type of food to be distributed shall be made having considered their contribution to the balanced diet of the most deprived persons. The food and/or basic material assistance may be provided directly to the most deprived persons or indirectly, for example, through vouchers or cards, in electronic or other form, provided that they can be redeemed only against food and/or basic material assistance. Support for the most deprived persons shall be additional to any social benefit that may be provided by national social systems or according to national law.

Or. en

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 – paragraph 5 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment(5a) According to Eurostat, there are currently 64,6 million women and 57,6 million men living in poverty in the Member States, which shows that the impact of poverty on women and men differs. Eliminating all types of gender-based violence is essential for eliminating women’s poverty, as a life free of violence enables women to participate fully in their communities and the economy, to access education, health care, employment and social services, and thereby achieve economic independence and bodily autonomy. Calls on the Commission to develop an ambitious 2030 European anti-poverty strategy, with concrete targets for reducing poverty and a focus on ending women’s poverty and gender based-violence and breaking thus the intergenerational cycle of poverty risks.

Text proposed by the Commission

Amendment

(5a) According to Eurostat, there are currently 64,6 million women and 57,6 million men living in poverty in the Member States, which shows that the impact of poverty on women and men differs. Eliminating all types of gender-based violence is essential for eliminating women’s poverty, as a life free of violence enables women to participate fully in their communities and the economy, to access education, health care, employment and social services, and thereby achieve economic independence and bodily autonomy. Calls on the Commission to develop an ambitious 2030 European anti-poverty strategy, with concrete targets for reducing poverty and a focus on ending women’s poverty and gender based-violence and breaking thus the intergenerational cycle of poverty risks.

Or. en

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission	AmendmentArticle 6a
Text proposed by the Commission	AmendmentSupport for equal opportunities and access to labour market
Text proposed by the Commission	AmendmentIncreasing women’s labour market participation is essential for achieving the EU 2030 headline target of a 78% employment rate for the population aged 20 to 64 set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and endorsed by EU leaders at the Porto Social Summit in May 2021. This contributes to the advancement of gender equality and the fight against poverty. The Action Plan has been enriched with a sub-target to at least halve the gender employment gap by 2030 compared to 2019. The ESF should therefore support Member States in addressing gender-specific labour market participation obstacles, ensuring a better work-life balance, including through flexible working arrangements for both parents, facilitating women’s access to quality jobs and entrepreneurial paths, through incentives for companies to hire and promote women, particularly single mothers, relying on paternity and shared parental care leave and ensuring access to quality and affordable childcare and other formal care services.

Or. en

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Article 6 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Text proposed by the Commission	AmendmentArticle 6b
Text proposed by the Commission	AmendmentSupport for equal access to quality healthcare services
Text proposed by the Commission	AmendmentAs the European Parliament stated in December 2025, it is important that the Commission make full use of its competence in health policy and provide support to Member States in guaranteeing universal access to SRHR under the EU4Health Programme for 2021-2027. Welcome that on February 2026, the European Commission stated that unsafe abortion is a matter of public health and that access to abortion is needed to fulfil the treaties' requirements. Regrets however that the Commission considers that it is not necessary to establish a new funding programme as requested by the ECI. In the absence of an other dedicated budget line and without undermining any social objectives, it is important that access to financial measures be granted to Member States that, in accordance with their national law, support women in vulnerable situations, who can not afford healthcare services, including safe abortion services otherwise, irrespective of their nationality or place of residence, including women from countries were abortion is illegal. It is important that safe and legal abortion is guaranteed as a health competence, not a social one.

Or. en

Annex: declaration of input 1 paragraph

The rapporteur for opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not include in her opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register1, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.