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REPORT (2024/2077(INI))

On the European Social Fund Plus post-2027

A-10-2025-0014

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: Marit Maij

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The report sets out Parliament's position on the future European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) after 2027, insisting it remains a separate, strongly funded fund under shared management, focused on social inclusion, employment, skills and poverty reduction. It calls for increased funding, including at least EUR 20 billion for the European Child Guarantee, higher earmarking for social inclusion and food aid, and support for specific groups such as persons with disabilities, women, Roma, migrants and homeless people. The report demands reduced administrative burdens, stronger partnership with local actors and civil society, and better coordination with other EU funds and policies.

Committee position. The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs proposes a resolution setting out Parliament's vision for the ESF+ post-2027, calling for a strong, separate fund with increased budget and specific priorities.

Key points

  1. Insists the ESF+ remains the key EU instrument for social dimension, supporting member states, regions and people, and addressing challenges like climate change, digitalisation and rising costs.
  2. Calls for a significantly increased ESF+ budget for 2028-2034 and warns against splitting or merging the fund with others.
  3. Demands shared management governance and involvement of social partners, civil society and target groups in design and implementation.
  4. Calls for a financial reserve instrument for social emergencies, separate from ESF+ core budget.
  5. Stresses support for persons with disabilities, including transition from sheltered workshops to open labour market and independent living.
  6. Targets disadvantaged groups: children, older people, ethnic minorities, Roma, homeless, low-income, long-term unemployed, and those in rural or remote areas.
  7. Invests in women's employment and inclusion, especially single mothers and victims of gender-based violence.
  8. Calls for dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion for European Child Guarantee and at least 5% of ESF+ resources for child poverty in all member states.
  9. Urges raising earmarking for social inclusion beyond 25% and for food aid to 5%.
  10. Supports affordable housing measures and asks for significant earmarking to tackle homelessness.
  11. Calls for increased earmarking for Youth Guarantee beyond 12.5% and ban on unpaid traineeships.
  12. Calls for co-financing rates of at least 90% for measures for most deprived and 70% for small entities, and for reduced administrative burden.

Who is affected

  • Member states and regional/local authorities: must involve local actors and reduce administrative burdens.
  • Civil society organisations, social enterprises, not-for-profit services: guaranteed access to funding and involvement.
  • Persons with disabilities, Roma, migrants, homeless, women, children: targeted support and inclusion measures.
  • Social partners and trade unions: capacity-building funding and support for counselling services.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 20 billion dedicated budget for European Child Guarantee.
  • At least 5% of ESF+ resources for child poverty.
  • 25% earmarking for social inclusion to be raised.
  • 5% earmarking for food aid and basic material assistance.
  • 12.5% earmarking for Youth Guarantee to be increased.
  • 90% co-financing rate for measures targeting the most deprived.
  • 70% co-financing rate for small entities.

Legal basis: Articles 46(d), 149, 153(2)(a), 164, 175 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union