Promoting inclusive growth – European Social Fund thematic paper

Summary:

The changing economic and social climate over the past years has caused a rethink of policies governing the labour market, social inclusion and education. The current emphasis is on anti-crisis, short-term measures aimed at limiting unemployment and reigning in social disparities. Nonetheless, the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU now accounts for nearly one-fourth of the EU population. The European Social Fund is playing a key role in helping Member States increase employment and skills by training their work force, reducing poverty and cut across bottle-necks in the job market by reforming education and training systems and boosting worker mobility. The ESF is the main EU instrument to support strengthening active labour market policies in the Member States.