The ESF 2000-2006: Portugal

Summary:

The European Social Fund is the European Union’s main tool to help both young and older workers and job seekers. Created in 1957, the Fund supports measures to prevent and combat unemployment, to promote training and to improve the way the labour market functions. In partnership with the European Union Member States, the ESF aims to achieve a high level of employment, equality between men and women, sustainable development and economic and social cohesion. The Social Fund is the financial means to translate into concrete measures the European Employment Strategy, the process for co-ordinating the employment polices of EU governments.