European Social Fund (ESF)
European Social Fund (ESF) : The ESF is the main financial tool through which the European Union (EU) translates its strategic employment policy aims into action. Already set up by the Treaty of Rome (1957), it is the longest established Structural Fund which, for over 40 years, has invested, in partnership with the Member States, in programmes to develop people's skills and their potential for work. The ESF now stands at an important point in its development. A new seven year period began in 2000 for the ESF, in which its own potential has been fully integrated - in both policy and management terms - into what is done at EU Member State level to put the European Employment Strategy's priorities into practice. The Strategy involves the EU Member States working together towards common agreed goals to prepare people for work, and to create a better climate for jobs. The ESF provides EU funding on a major scale for programmes that develop or regenerate people's "employability". This task focuses on providing citizens with appropriate work skills as well as developing their social interaction skills, thereby improving their self-confidence and adaptability in the job marketplace. The ESF channels its support into strategic long-term programmes that help regions across Europe, particularly those lagging behind, to upgrade and modernize workforce skills and to foster entrepreneurial initiative. This encourages domestic and foreign investment into the regions, helping them to achieve greater economic competitiveness and prosperity. Programmes are planned by Member States together with the European Commission and then implemented through a wide range of provider organizations, both in the public and the private sectors. These organizations include national, regional and local authorities, educational and training institutions, voluntary organizations and the social partners (i.e. trade unions and works councils, industry and professional associations, and individual companies). The ESF acts as a catalyst for new approaches to projects, harnessing and bringing to bear the combined resources of all involved. It fosters partnerships at many different levels and encourages the Europe-wide transfer of knowledge, sharing of ideas and best practice, ensuring that the most effective new solutions are incorporated into mainstream policies. The framework and priorities of the ESF have been redefined for the period 2000-06 to support the European Employment Strategy as part of the Agenda 2000 reform of the structural funds. See: Agenda 2000; EQUAL; European Employment Strategy (EES)
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