In January, the European Parliament adopted its position on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) which integrates the current European Social Fund and the Health Programme. The Fund is now the main financial instrument to strengthen Europe’s social dimension for the 2021-2027 period. It aims to encourage and support the promotion of equal opportunities, non-discrimination, and social inclusion by committing ‘to leave no one behind’.

The text adopted by the European Parliament also states that civil society organisations should meaningfully participate in the delivery of Fund funded actions.

Now that the European Parliament has formulated its position on the matter, the Council of the European Union will also have to adopt a position. Negotiations on the final form of the text will then be able to start.