ESF+ funding is distributed through two pathways, called ‘strands’:

• At national level implemented by Member States and their regions in partnership with the European Commission (shared management). 
• At EU level: the European Commission implements the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand directly (direct management) or through entrusted entities (indirect management), such as the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation. 

Funding at national level

Most ESF+ funding is distributed by Member States at the national or regional level under shared management. For each 7-year-long programming period, Member States and the European Commission define the priorities for ESF+ investments, which are detailed in national and regional programmes. These programmes outline how ESF+ resources will be used to address specific challenges. 

Managing Authority

Each programme has a Managing Authority, whose main responsibility is to manage the programme with a view to deliver its objectives. Among other tasks, the Managing Authority is responsible for: 

• Selecting projects. 
• Monitoring implementation. 
• Providing information on the programme.

Key steps to access funding

• Learn about funding priorities: Consult the relevant programme to understand the funding priorities in your country or region.
• Find your local contact: Visit your country’s ESF+ portal or contact the local Managing Authority to apply for funding. You can find both on the relevant national page.

Who can apply?

ESF+ funding is typically awarded on a project-by-project basis. To be eligible for funding, applicants must ensure that their project aligns with the priorities and objectives of ESF+, meets the specific criteria of the relevant funding strand, and demonstrates a unique value proposition that sets it apart from others.

The eligibility criteria for ESF+ funding are determined, on the basis of EU law, at the national and regional level in each country. Generally, the following groups can be identified as the main beneficiaries of the fund: 

• Public bodies
• Private sector entities, particularly small businesses
• Universities
• Associations, NGOs, and voluntary organisations
• Foreign firms with a base in the area covered by the relevant programme may also apply, as long as they comply with EU public procurement rules.

For detailed eligibility requirements, contact the Managing Authority in your region.

Funding at EU level 

A smaller portion of ESF+ funding is allocated through the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand, which supports EU-wide initiatives. 

EaSI funding supports a variety of activities, including social innovation, evidence-based policymaking, job mobility, and capacity building in microfinance and social enterprises to address social and employment challenges.

Key steps to access funding

• Explore priorities: EaSI funding priorities are defined annually in the EaSI annual work programme which is published during the final quarter of the preceding year.
• Apply via calls for proposals and tenders: 
  • European Commission (direct management): calls for proposals (grants) and calls for tenders (contracts) are published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. 
  • European Competence Centre for Social Innovation (indirect management): calls related to social experimentation and social innovation are published on the Social Innovation Plus Initiative website.

Who can apply?

Call for proposals: 

Eligibility for EaSI funding generally includes:

• Legal entities from EU Member States (including Overseas countries and territories) and participating countries (subject to signed agreements).
• Third countries may participate in certain actions.

Additional eligibility requirements are detailed in the call’s specific documentation.

Call for tenders (procurement): 

Tenders are awarded following public procurement rules. Access is usually open to all entities established in: 

• EU Member States. 
• Third countries covered under an international or bilateral agreement with the EU. 

Further guidance

Social experimentation guide: a practical guide for project promoter: this guide supports future EaSI project promoters preparing transnational social experimentation proposals. It can also be useful for other stakeholders, notably those responding to the shared management strand calls at national and regional level on social innovation

Scaling-up social innovation: seven steps for using ESF+: this guide looks at the social innovation from the perspective of scaling-up. It helps ESF+ Managing Authorities to design calls for proposals and other initiatives which aim at making a good use of already existing social innovations. This can ultimately help to reform and modernise policies and practice.