For many job seekers, finding a job is only part of the challenge. Staying employed – and thriving at work – requires the right match between their skills, needs, and workplace. With support from the

Actiris's childcare initiative in Brussels helps parents access reliable childcare, enabling them to pursue jobs or training and build better futures for their families.

Two practical schools in Gorinchem, Netherlands, are using ESF+ funds to help students develop their talents, gain practical skills, and transition confidently into the workforce and society.

The Lone Parents initiative used digital tools and personalised support to help single parents overcome barriers to employment and improve their skills, employability, and social inclusion.

The ELA project in Germany offers work-related learning experiences in Italy or Greece for young adults aged 18 to 30, equipping them with skills and insights that help them find jobs.

A new initiative funded by the Just Transition Fund (JTF) aims to support workers from the declining coal industry by equipping them with the skills needed in a rapidly evolving labour market.

The ‘From Care to Possibilities’ project in Lithuania is replacing institutional care with community-based support, helping adults with mental or intellectual disabilities live independently.

In Austria the ‘Schulstartklar’ (Ready to Start School) initiative, a cornerstone of the national programme to fight material deprivation, provides vouchers to pupils from poor households.

The Voluntary Military Service in France provides military and professional training, facilitating social and professional integration through discipline, teamwork, and partnerships.

Serhii, a 34-year-old from Mariupol, is building a new life in Denmark after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Thanks to the European Social Fund, Serhii has secured a stable job.