The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD), together with 65 European and international networks and over 200 national organisations, calls on the European Union (EU) to strengthen the European Social Fund in the next EU Budget. This comes amid concerns that the next EU budget for employment, training, and social inclusion initiatives could be at risk. 

In 2023, 94.6 million people in Europe were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, nearly one in four children included, with extreme poverty rising at an alarming rate. The European Union (EU) has pledged to lift at least 15 million people, including 5 million children, out of poverty by 2030. If this commitment is to be achieved, the EU will need a broad range of economic, social and environmental policies. It will also need the next EU Budget (called Multi-Annual Financial Framework or MFF) to be fit-for-purpose. 

Initial discussions around the next EU Budget suggest potential cuts to crucial social investment programmes. Proposals to merge funding mechanisms significantly risk weakening support to key actions and programmes for labour market integration, training and social inclusion. 

The current European Social Fund (ESF+) is instrumental in promoting employment and training and supporting innovation in social services; in particular for those most excluded or at risk. For instance, the ESF + has been used by many of EASPD’s members to help 10,000s of persons with disabilities find jobs, access training or support them in their day-to-day lives. In many countries, the ESF+ is the financial backbone of the support systems for excluded people. It also provides real space for social innovation and developing high-quality support systems; at times when national spending often lacks in these regards.  

This is why EASPD has united with 65 other international and European networks and over 200 national organisations to make the following requests to European Union policy-makers:  

• Maintain a strengthened, stand-alone ESF+ with increased financial resources to meet Europe’s growing social challenges. 

• Ensure dedicated funding for training, quality employment, social inclusion measures, and combatting child poverty, including support for basic needs. 

• Uphold the partnership principle, fostering collaboration between public authorities, social partners, civil society, social economy, and local organisations to ensure funding aligns with regional and local needs. 

• Preserve current enabling conditions, linking funding eligibility to accessibility, inclusion and fundamental social rights to maximise impact and efficiency. 

This Joint Statement is backed by the main European representative organisations for hundreds of millions of people in Europe, millions of workers, millions of social economy organisations and the entire backbone of Europe’s social services system.  

Launching the Joint Statement, Thomas Bignal – EASPD Secretary General – states that “Yes, defence spending and competitiveness are crucial for Europe’s future. So is ensuring that everyone in Europe can fulfil their potential.  And a strong European Social Fund is a must for that.”  

Irene Bertana, EASPD Senior Policy Officer, added “The ESF+ is not just a funding tool—it is an investment in social fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all. By prioritising social and economic progress and ensuring that resources are used effectively, we can build a Europe that is both economically competitive and socially responsible. Now is the time to strengthen our social programmes so they empower individuals, support the most excluded, and contribute to a stronger, more resilient society for generations to come.” 

With over 250 organisations standing united, the message is clear: Europe’s social investment must not be weakened. The EU must act now to secure a stronger, more inclusive future for all.  

EASPD and its partners are committed to working with policymakers to ensure these priorities are implemented, building a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous Europe. 

Read the full joint statement here.

Supporting Documents.

• European Commission – what is the ESF+?
• European Commission – ESF+ factsheet
• Helpdesk project
• EU funds for social services: technical guidance on effective interventions
• ESF+ Committee Opinion on the future ESF
• MEPs demand a strengthened and separate European Social Fund Plus post-2027

For more information, please contact:
Irene Bertana, Senior Policy Officer and EU Parliament Liaison, EASPD

Note to editors:

The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities is a non-profit European umbrella organisation, established in 1996, and currently representing over 20,000 social and health services for persons with disabilities. EASPD advocates effective and high-quality disability-related services in the field of education, employment and individualised support, in line with the UN CRPD principles, which could bring benefits not only to persons with disabilities, but to society as a whole.