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OPINION (2024/2077(INI))

On the European Social Fund Plus post-2027

REGI-AD-768059

Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Kathleen Funchion

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The Committee on Regional Development suggests amendments to the European Parliament's report on the European Social Fund Plus post-2027, calling for a strong, reinforced, stand-alone ESF+ with increased funding, preserving cohesion policy principles, and addressing social, demographic, and territorial challenges. It emphasizes partnership with local and regional authorities, opposes performance-based approaches and RRF-style governance, and calls for specific support for vulnerable groups, housing, education, and rural areas.

Committee position. The Committee on Regional Development proposes amendments to the report, calling for a strong, reinforced ESF+ with increased funding, preserving cohesion policy principles, and addressing social and territorial challenges.

Key points

  1. Calls for a strong, reinforced, stand-alone ESF+ with increased funding post-2027, alongside a commensurate increase in regional funds, and enhanced access for cities, regions, and urban authorities.
  2. Expresses concern over splitting or merging ESF+ with other funds, and over RRF-style transformation, which excludes local authorities and fails to respect multi-level governance and partnership.
  3. Opposes a performance-based approach for the next ESF+, as social investments cannot be adequately assessed solely through indicators.
  4. Insists on the participation of local and regional authorities, social partners, and civil society in all stages, and on respecting the partnership principle and subsidiarity.
  5. Calls for the ESF+ to target the most disadvantaged, including marginalized communities, people with disabilities, homeless, children, elderly, and LGBTIQ+, with an intersectional approach.
  6. Demands a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion for the European Child Guarantee, with Member States allocating at least 5% of ESF+ resources, and up to 10% for those with higher child poverty.
  7. Urges raising the earmarking for social inclusion beyond 25% and for food aid to 5%, and investing at least 5% of ESF+ resources in initiatives for housing insecurity.
  8. Calls for increased earmarking for youth employment, banning unpaid traineeships, and ensuring social security for trainees.
  9. Supports specific measures for outermost regions and regions with severe demographic difficulties, including investments in green jobs and sustainable tourism.
  10. Calls for simplification of application processes, reduction of administrative burden, and a specific platform of information on accessing funds.
  11. Calls for the Common Provisions Regulation and budget negotiations to be finalized at least one year before the new funding period starts.

Who is affected

  • Local and regional authorities, who should be directly involved in shaping and implementing the ESF+.
  • Vulnerable groups including Roma, people with disabilities, homeless, children, elderly, and LGBTIQ+ communities.
  • Rural areas, outermost regions, and regions with severe natural or demographic handicaps.
  • Member States bordering Ukraine, which need additional support for retraining and public services.

Figures and deadlines

  • 22 % of the EU population at risk of poverty or social exclusion.
  • At least EUR 20 billion dedicated budget for the European Child Guarantee.
  • At least 5 % of ESF+ resources for the European Child Guarantee, up to 10 % for Member States with higher child poverty.
  • Earmarking for social inclusion beyond 25 % and for food aid to 5 %.
  • At least 5 % of ESF+ resources for housing insecurity initiatives.
  • At least 15 % of ESF+ resources for youth employment support.
  • Co-financing rate of at least 90 % for measures by CSOs and at least 70 % for social enterprises.

Legal basis: Articles 46(d), 149, 153(2)(a), 164, 174, 175 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.