Time for ambition: The EU needs a strong Social Fund to live up to its commitments
The European Social Fund+ has played a crucial role in supporting the social economy, local communities, and social services. It has created jobs, provided essential training, driven reforms for social inclusion, and addressed the urgent needs of individuals experiencing or at risk of poverty. However, there is still much work to be done, and the EU must remain committed to its social priorities.
RREUSE and over 250 organisations urge the EU to maintain a strong, independent Social Fund that can reduce inequalities, strengthen the Single Market, and enhance Europe’s competitiveness.
To achieve this, the next long-term EU budget must include:
- A strengthened stand-alone European Social Fund, with increased funds, not less.
- Earmarked funding for training and jobs, social inclusion measures, and fighting child poverty including addressing basic needs across key programmes.
- A strong partnership principle, ensuring cooperation between public authorities, local organisations, social partners, social economy and civil society, well aligned to local and regional needs, to maximise impact and efficiency. This should include capacity building programmes.
- Measures that drive quality employment and social reforms to help improve welfare systems, care, training and support services, empowering those at risk of poverty and social exclusion. This means keeping the current enabling conditions, that link eligibility for funding to accessibility, inclusion, and the protection of fundamental and social rights.