European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

Updated on 22 July December 2026

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is one of the European Union's main Cohesion Policy funds, alongside the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It invests in people by supporting employment, education, skills development and social inclusion across Europe.

Unlike centrally managed EU programmes such as Horizon Europe, ESF+ funding is not awarded directly by the European Commission. Instead, the EU allocates funding to Member States and regions, which implement national or regional programmes tailored to their specific needs and policy priorities.

The ESF+ is the European Union's principal instrument for implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights. It contributes to a more inclusive, resilient and competitive Europe by promoting quality employment, lifelong learning, equal opportunities and social cohesion.

For the 2021–2027 programming period, the ESF+ has a budget of approximately €99.3 billion. Preparations for the next EU funding period 2028–2034 are already underway.

Programme at a glance

Programme: European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
Part of: EU Cohesion Policy
Current programming period: 2021–2027
Budget: approximately €99.3 billion
Management: Shared management by the European Commission and the Member States, with selected actions managed directly by the European Commission
Key priorities: Employment, education, lifelong learning, skills development, social inclusion, equal opportunities and workforce development
Target groups: Employees, jobseekers, young people, SMEs, universities, education and training providers, public authorities, social partners and disadvantaged groups

What does the ESF+ support?

The ESF+ finances measures that strengthen people's skills, improve access to employment and promote social cohesion throughout Europe. Its main objectives include:

• improving access to quality employment;
• promoting education, vocational training and lifelong learning;
• supporting skills development and workforce resilience;
• helping workers and organisations adapt to the digital and green transitions;
• fostering social inclusion and equal opportunities;
• reducing poverty and social exclusion; and
• supporting the integration of disadvantaged groups into education and the labour market.

Since the 2021–2027 programming period, the ESF+ has brought together several previous EU funding instruments, including the European Social Fund (ESF), the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI) and parts of the Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI).

The ESF+ in Bavaria

In Bavaria, the ESF+ supports projects that improve employment opportunities, strengthen skills and qualifications, promote social inclusion and help secure the skilled workforce needed for the future.

Funding is available for projects in areas such as:

• vocational education and training;
• lifelong learning and workforce development;
• skills development and upskilling;
• entrepreneurship and business start-ups;
• support for disadvantaged people entering education and employment;
• knowledge transfer between universities and businesses; and
• projects promoting equal opportunities and social inclusion.

The Bavarian ESF+ programme is implemented by the relevant Bavarian ministries. Current funding opportunities and programme information are available from the Bavarian State Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Affairs and the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.

The next programming period: 2028–2034

With its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, the European Commission has launched preparations for the next EU funding period. According to the current proposal, the ESF+ will remain one of the European Union's key instruments for strengthening employment, skills and social cohesion.

The Commission has proposed integrating the ESF+, the ERDF and other funding instruments into new National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs). These proposals are currently being negotiated between the European Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament. The final legislative framework has not yet been adopted.

Combining ESF+ and Horizon Europe

The ESF+ and Horizon Europe address different aspects of Europe's innovation ecosystem and complement each other.

While Horizon Europe funds excellent research and innovation projects, the ESF+ helps develop the skills and human capital needed to turn research results into societal and economic impact. It supports education, training, upskilling, knowledge transfer and workforce development, enabling organisations to adopt new technologies and strengthen their innovation capacity.

The European Commission encourages synergies between EU funding programmes. Combining Horizon Europe and ESF+ can help ensure that investments in research are matched by investments in people, creating the skilled workforce required for Europe's green and digital transitions.

BayFOR supports synergies between European funding programmes

The Bavarian Research Alliance (BayFOR) supports universities, research organisations, companies and public institutions in identifying and combining suitable European funding opportunities.

By connecting programmes such as Horizon Europe, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), BayFOR helps applicants develop integrated funding strategies that strengthen research, innovation, technology transfer and skills development. Our experts provide strategic advice throughout the funding process and help maximise the impact of European funding.

Further information

• European Commission – European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)
• Bavarian State Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Affairs – ESF+ in Bavaria
• Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts – ESF+ funding
• European Pillar of Social Rights