ESF+ mid-term evaluation

Századvég Konjunktúrakutató Zrt. is an active participant in the national discourse on development policy in Hungary, and is involved, as a consultant, in the implementation of multiple funds in Hungary through a number of projects, including evaluations, policy planning and public sector organisational development.

We would like to share our views for the ESF+ mid-term evaluation, focusing in particular on the use of ESF+ for vulnerable groups (especially Roma) in Spain (for full contribution, see document attached). We have a positive view of the way in which ESF+ has been programmed in Spain at national level.

Comments from the City of Gothenburg: The City of Gothenburg has long experience in applying, running and participating in both regional and national ESF projects. Under the ESF +, the City of Gothenburg has experience of three out of four for the city’s searchable programme areas. Of the projects approved so far, all but one target group have young people.

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, for the period 2021-2027, is the managing authority for a regional programme with an envelope of 880 million European funds (660M ERDF, 143M ESF + and 77M JTF) and INTERREG programme: ALCOTRA, which has a budget of 182 million. At the end of 2023, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region has already programmed 31 % of the ESF + envelope allocated for the period 2021-2027.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

From the city of Stockholm we would like to highlight the multi level governance as one key to the efficience of the ESF. It allows for the calls to cover challenges, needs and target groups that are particularily central to the region and out city, and makes it possible for us to develop projects that are relevant for those who are to be involved.

MFC, FEBEA and EMN are welcoming this opportunity to give their feedback on the ESF+ to document the mid-term evaluation of the programme. The 4-year Partnership Agreement under ESF+ allows EMN, MFC and FEBEA to run their operations with quality and stability and thereof represent a valuable support at the EU level of the microfinance and social finance sector in Europe.

The 4-year Partnership Agreement under ESF+ allows MFC, EMN and FEBEA to run their operations with quality and stability and thereof represent a valuable support at the EU level of the microfinance and social finance sector in Europe.

The 4-year Partnership Agreement under ESF+ allows FEBEA, EMN, and MFC to run their operations with quality and stability and therefore represent valuable support at the EU level of the microfinance and social finance sector in Europe.

The Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freie Sozialcare (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Freien Sozialpflege) with its member associations Arbeiterwohlfahrt, Deutscher Caritasverband, Der Gemeinsame, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, Diakonie Deutschland and the Central Welfare Office of Jews, implements numerous projects in the European Social Fund Plus at federal and regional level.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The EKD Brussels office provides advice on EU funding opportunities, including on the ESF+ in Germany. The ESF+ represents a real added value in the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and should therefore continue to be provided with sufficient financial resources in the future.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

ENSIE is part of the Helpdesk project, aiming at reinforcing the capacity of social services and managing authorities in using EU Funds, and fully endorses the transversal reaction provided by the consortium partners. By this reaction, ENSIE wishes to feed the commissions knowledge with ground-based content focusing on Work Integration Social Enterprises.

The Helpdesk project reinforces the capacity of social services and managing authorities in using EU Funds, in particular the European Social Fund+ (ESF+) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), for quality social inclusion projects, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights.

This submission is based on reports produced by the ECRE and PICUMs joint project. PICUM and ECRE work for the rights and well-being of people with a migrant background. PICUM works for people with an irregular residence status, while ECRE works for refugees, asylum-seekers, and other forcibly displaced persons in Europe and in Europe's external policies.

The Red Cross EU Office is a membership office representing the 27 National Red Cross Societies in the EU, the Norwegian Red Cross, the Icelandic Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Eurodiaconia provides access to a European network of churches and Christian NGOs offering social and healthcare services, an expanding network of 59 organisations in 32 European countries representing over 36.000 service providers and advocacy organisations. Eurodiaconia will bring expertise in social policy and its membership encompasses all target groups of the project.

The position of the European Food Banks Federation focuses on support to the most deprived through food and/ or basic material assistance (Article 4.1.(m) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), as well as through social integration measures (Article 4.1.(l) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1057).

Key messages from COFACE Families Europe: 1.Align the ESF+ fully on international human rights treaties 2.Monitor and evaluate the use of EU funds for the European Child Guarantee 3.Boost implementation of the European care strategy by investing in community-based, person-centred high-quality, affordable and accessible care systems.

As a solo self-employed person, it is not easy to check the eligibility criteria and even the official advisory bodies in Berlin do not express their views in concrete terms and I am still waiting for a binding commitment. A “Teams” interview has already been held with www.nuviu.de

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

This evaluation is a key tool to guide public policies and identify actions to be developed under the ESF +. It is also presented as an essential tool for the review of the programmes in line with the results achieved.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

EuroHealthNet welcomes the opportunity to provide input toward the mid-term evaluation of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). In our contribution, we will provide evidence on what works and what does not, feeding to the European Commissions assessment of the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value of the ESF+.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe that the ESF+ is a very helpful support for all those who have the chance to use it. We are living in difficult times – the programme should in any case continue! Thank you very much to all those responsible for the valuable format. Yours sincerely, [name removed] | Marketing-Wege M.I.T. Kraft® Business Coach – author – Speakerin – organiser

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The New Aquitaine Region is the managing authority for part of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF +) for the period 2021-2027. Although the programming period officially started in 2021, New Aquitaine would like to recall that the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Cohesion Regulations were adopted very late.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The European Disability Forum views the European Social Fund as one of the most important and impactful forms of EU funding for reducing inequalities throughout the Member States. It has been key to improving the social inclusion of persons with disabilities all over Europe. We therefore strongly believe that the ESF+s budget must be enhanced in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

The Stockholm Region developed a regional action plan based on the regional context during the programming of the ESF +. The ESF + Regional Action Plan started with the national programme and describes how the national programme will be implemented at regional level.

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

The European Social Fund+ is a key funding instrument for re-use and repair social enterprises in Europe. On the ground, it supports the RREUSE networks social enterprises in their missions of combating poverty and promoting social inclusion, employment and skills development in the circular economy. Thanks to ESF+, social enterprises like R.U.S.Z.

The ESF+ plays a pivotal role in addressing key challenges faced by young people across the EU, including unemployment, lack of skills, and barriers to entrepreneurship. By focusing on these areas, the Fund has the potential to significantly contribute to the empowerment of the youth population, equipping them with the necessary tools and opportunities to succeed in the rapidly changing labor market.

Since 2003, I have been using ESF funding for the programme “Support for Entrepreneurial Knowledge”, which has since been launched by BAFA, as a consultant. My clients and I, as an adviser, are very satisfied with this possibility to allow solo companies and SMEs to promote, consolidate and apply their own competitiveness and entrepreneurial knowledge.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The GR-Gothenburg region is an association of municipalities that supports 13 municipalities with development, education and research in all areas under their responsibility, ranging from education, social services and the urban environment. GR has a long experience in applying for and running both regional and national ESF projects.

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

dear ladies and gentlemen, so far I was not aware of the European Social Fund. When I made myself a few months ago, I was not made aware of it. On the contrary, I have been told that I cannot expect any national support or funding. I therefore no longer believed in international/European funding.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Ladies and gentlemen, I was unfortunately not aware of the possibility of applying for ESF funding as a self-employed person/individual entrepreneur. More publicity should be given to this. In the future, I will address the issue where the obstacles to funding are not too high.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

In the field of education, largely pure waste of money, programmes, especially in the field of e-learning, are produced but have no meaning and/or, as online programmes, are shut down after a few days, e.g. Modulang (University of Saarbrücken). In this case, there is probably also subsidy fraud, as a book was created during the funding period, presumably with funds earmarked for online presence.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

German could not be selected as the language of the feedback. ESF funding for non-profit organisations is materially good. The application and the flow of support are too long. Non-profit organisations tend to have a high level of volunteering. These can only achieve the requirements of the ESF with much administrative effort. Many of my non-profit customers complain here. Briefly....

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Dear, as a self-employed small business in Germany, my impression is as follows: Training programme Compass: Good idea, but impracticable. Compass for self-employed seems to me to be a compensation/disposal trade in the aftermath of the coronavirus disaster. My impression that the issue of self-employed people is somewhere positive on the agenda, and that the usual methods are quick, whatever the outcome is.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Masaryk University continues to perceive the support from ESF+ as a crucial source of funding to further improve the quality of higher education and support its global competitiveness. In relation to the foreseen deeper transformation of the EU cohesion policy in the new programming period 2028 - 2034 (whether due to the enlargement of the European Union, further structural changes, etc.), the European Social Fund…

ISSA, IPRA, under the European Social Fund, participated in the FEAD operation, taking over the purchase of the constituent products of the predefined basket. The possible assessment of the action already taken, which could contribute to an improvement in the planning and implementation of future programmes, stresses the importance of establishing suitable implementation periods for gradual and phased…

Filed in Portuguese · English published by the European Commission

Dear European Commission, Dear Ladies/Gentlemen, I am sending the formation of the professional opinion on behalf of the Senior Corporate Silver Spoon, Environment & Nature Association/Ezüstkanál Nyugdíjas Társasági, Környezet- és természetvédelmi Egyesület. Look: The attached two-page written document. The document was written in both English and Hungarian. Kindest regards, [name removed] PR Lead

In 2023, the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) surveyed its members on their experiences with ESF+-funded projects and collected recommendations for improving the ESF+ based on their responses.