On Tuesday 11 March, after months of discussions, the European Parliament adopted its report on the future of the European Social Fund+ (ESF+) post 2027. This report sets the Parliament’s position and priorities in preparation for the next EU budget (Multiannual Financial Framework, or MFF) for 2028-2034. Why is this important? It will influence the European Commission’s proposal for the MFF, expected this summer, which will define how the new funds will be organised and which programmes and areas will receive more or less support in the next budget. 

At EASPD, we’ve worked to ensure a future strong ESF+ that keeps its current scope and supports social inclusion and community-based services. The Parliament's report can be seen as a positive step in this work, aligning with many of our advocacy efforts. However, challenges remain. Here’s a summary of what you need to know. 

What is ESF+? 

The ESF+ is one of the key cohesion funds, focusing on employment, education, social services, and skills policies. It plays a crucial role in supporting the European Pillar of Social Rights (ESPR) and the implementation of key priorities for persons with disabilities, such as inclusive education, community-based care, and employment programmes. With a €142.7 billion budget for 2021-2027, it is a critical tool for social investment. 

The Good  

EASPD successfully advocated for several key priorities that are included in the report: 

• Transition to community-based care: The report emphasises the need for a shift from institutional care to community services, aligning with the European Disability Strategy and key initiatives like the Guidance on Independent Living and the Framework for Social Services of Excellence. 

• Investment in long-term care: The report supports funding for long-term care services for persons with disabilities and older people under the EU Care Strategy. 

• Access to ESF+ for social service providers: The report supports strengthening partnerships with civil society organisations, capacity building and better access to ESF+ for not-for-profit social service providers, aligning with the objectives of the Helpdesk project. The report also highlights the creation of national helpdesks for guidance and technical assistance. 

• Housing: The report acknowledges the role of ESF+ in tackling the housing crisis and ensuring access to affordable, accessible housing services. 

• Child poverty and social exclusion: EASPD together with the Alliance for Investing in Children had also called for an increase in the funds dedicated to the implementation of the Child Guarantee. The report proposes to increase the current 5% allocation to the child guarantee only for the countries with a child poverty higher than the EU average, to 5% allocation for all EU countries, with additional allocations for those with the highest child poverty rates.  

The Challenges  

Despite progress, some key issues remain: 

• Child Guarantee funding: The proposal to allocate €20 billion specifically to implement the Child Guarantee did not pass due to opposition from the European People’s Party (EPP), the centre-right coalition, and far-right parties. This remains an area where further advocacy is needed and will take place, starting from the response published by the Alliance for Investing in Children. 

• Housing and disability: Also, persons with disabilities are not explicitly mentioned as a target group in the section of the report related to housing, leaving a significant gap in addressing accessible housing needs and fostering the transition to community-based care. 

• Risk of merging funds: The report echoes concerns that ESF+ could be merged with other EU funds, weakening its impact. The Parliament's report calls for ESF+ to remain an independent fund, aligning with the joint statement  EASPD launched last week with the support of 65 European networks and over 200 national organisations. This alignment indicates the possibility for EASPD and other civil society partners to ally with the Parliament on this in the future negotiations. 

Conclusion 

The adoption of this report is an important step towards shaping the future of ESF+. While we’ve secured key commitments, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring the fund’s independence and adequate allocations for child poverty. Ongoing risks, such as potential mergers with other funds, and shifting priorities in EU policy mean that we must continue advocating for a stronger, stand-alone, more inclusive ESF+ that truly delivers on social investment and equal opportunities for all.