The European Social Fund (ESF) is Europe’s main instrument for supporting jobs, helping people get better jobs and ensuring fairer job opportunities for all EU citizens. It works by investing in Europe’s human capital – its workers, its young people and all those seeking a job.ESF financing of EUR 10 billion a year is improving job prospects for millions of Europeans, in particular those who find it difficult to get work.You may also be interested inNews27 July 2026As EU Year of Skills wraps up, Commission sets out an action plan to tackle labour and skills shortages The action plan is part of the EU's strategy to boost its competitiveness and enhance its economic and social resilience. The action plan is a key deliverable of the European Year of Skills, an EU-wide umbrella campaign with the objective of ensuring people have a quality job, and the skills to excel in it. BeneficiariesESF projects are applied for and run by a wide variety of organisations, including:public administrations, workers’ and employers’ organisations, NGOs, charities,companies. Financing conditionsESF funding is available through the Member States and regions.The ESF does not fund projects directly from Brussels.Organisations interested in ESF funding for a project should contact the ESF Managing Authority in their country or region.Additional informationWebsite linkFunding through the ESFIndustry - field of education and trainingGeneric programmes and qualifications not further definedTarget audienceDigital skills for the labour force.Digital skills in education.Digital skills for allGeographic scope - CountryAustriaBelgiumBulgariaCyprusRomaniaSloveniaCroatiaCzech republicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyIrelandMaltaLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgNetherlandsPortugalPolandSwedenSpainSlovakiaShow moreShow lessGeographical sphereEU institutional initiativeTarget groupHigh AchieversNon-Native SpeakersPersons requiring employment retrainingPersons in tertiary education (EQF 6)Persons who have completed primary educationPersons in secondary/compulsory educationPersons who have completed tertiary education (EQF 7)Persons in primary educationPersons with 0-3 years work experiencePersons who have completed tertiary education (EQF 8)Persons who have completed secondary/compulsory educationPersons in tertiary education (EQF 7)Persons in tertiary education (EQF 8)MigrantsPersons with 3-10 years work experiencePersons with 10+ years work experiencePersons with a learning disabilityNative SpeakersPersons who have completed tertiary education (EQF 6)Low AchieversLog in to comment
News27 July 2026As EU Year of Skills wraps up, Commission sets out an action plan to tackle labour and skills shortages The action plan is part of the EU's strategy to boost its competitiveness and enhance its economic and social resilience. The action plan is a key deliverable of the European Year of Skills, an EU-wide umbrella campaign with the objective of ensuring people have a quality job, and the skills to excel in it.
