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Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

This webpage covers the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) strictly as part of funding projects related to tourism.

Why is it relevant to tourism?

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is a key financial programme for investing in people. It provides much-needed resources to EU countries to help societies and economies recover after the coronavirus crisis. The ESF+ finances the implementation of the principles from the European Pillar of Social Rights.

With a budget of almost €99.3 billion for the 2021-2027 period, the ESF+ will continue to provide an important contribution to the EU’s employment, social, education and skills policies. It will also fund  structural reforms in these areas.

The ESF+ supports EU policy implementation and national structural reforms in these fields. This contributes to EU countries’ efforts to reduce unemployment, enhance quality and equal opportunities in education and training. It also helps with actions to improve social inclusion and integration.

The ESF+ promotes the horizontal principles of gender equality, respect for fundamental rights, equal opportunities and non-discrimination in all its investments.