The European Social Fund Agency of Lithuania (ESFA) is issuing an open call for experts to help develop and deliver the Commission’s ESF Social Innovation+ (ESF SI+) initiative, financed by European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

ESF SI+ and ESFA 

The ESF SI+ initiative is aimed at supporting the transfer and scaling up of innovative solutions through transnational cooperation and the dissemination of good practices, in particular for the policy areas set out in the ESF+ Regulation (i.e. employment, education and skills, social inclusion, smart and green transitions across Europe). 

ESFA has been entrusted with the implementation of this initiative during the 2021-2027 programming period in two ways: by organizing calls for proposals at the EU level , and by establishing and coordinating the activities of the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation. The Centre will organize activities, which bring together the ESF+ managing authorities, National Competence Centers for Social Innovation, and other stakeholders in the EU Member States. 

The important role of experts 

ESFA is looking for experts in the areas of social innovation, employment, education and skills, social inclusion, smart and green transitions Experts will be major players in delivering ESF SI+. From helping to evaluate project proposals and monitoring of grant agreements to capacity building, they will be the front lines in  helping to scale up innovative solutions and expand the use of tools and models of social innovation across the EU. To this end, experts will be required for ad-hoc, or longer-term thematic assignments. Experts will be selected throughout the period of the initiative on the basis of needed expertise and experience, language skills, geographical and business-sector balance, gender balance, regular rotation, and absence of conflict of interest. More information can be found through the call’s webpage.