In the EU, 82 regions are facing a sharp decline of their working age population – almost 30% of the EU population are severely affected by this decline, a low share of university and higher-education graduates or a negative mobility of their population aged 15-39.

These regions face specific structural challenges such as inefficiencies in labour market, education, training and adult learning systems, low performance in the areas of innovation, public governance or business development, and low access to services.  

A new initiative to reverse the trend 

This is why the Commission is launching the ‘Talent Booster Mechanism', to support EU regions affected by the accelerated decline of their working age population to train, retain and attract the people, the skills and the competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition. The mechanism was presented as part of the Commission’s ‘Communication on Harnessing Talent in Europe’s Regions’ on 16 January 2023, and is the first key initiative in 2023 contributing to this year’s proposed European Year of Skills.  

How the ESF+ will help even the playing field 

The Communication highlighted how Cohesion Policy is and will continue to help these regions to diversify their economy, upgrade the accessibility to services, boost the efficiency of public administration and ensure the involvement of the regional and local authorities.  Funds like the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) which implement the EU’s Cohesion Policy are key to these regions’ recovery plans  that can bridge regional inequalities across Europe.   

The European Social Fund (ESF) has already shown how regional projects are making a significant contribution towards creating talent and involving young people in shaping local policy making. Some examples include: 

• Italy’s YOUZ project has been inviting young citizens of the region Emilia-Romagna to share their hopes, dreams, fears, and aspirations for the region, and Europe and connected them with local decision makers that can turn their ideas99,3 billib and aspirations into a reality   

• In Romania, Entrepreneur 2020 has helped create more than 200 jobs, with more than 600 entrepreneurs having received nationally recognised training, thanks to funding from the European Social Fund.   

• Denmark’s Funen NextGen project is building skills in programming, advanced mathematics and complex problem solving – critical for the region to remain competitive through the digital revolution. The project wouldn’t have been possible without ESF support.  

Youth and skills are important priorities of the ESF+, the EU's biggest instrument for investing in people. Worth €99.3 billion over the 2021-2027 programming period, the fund exceeds the previous ESF, and will work to invest in Europe's future through offering increased opportunities to develop skills, provide financial support for starting their own businesses, improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of health care and develop the social economy. By creating and retaining talent and investing in both infrastructure and social services, regions are growing their resilience – and remaining attractive to both workers and businesses – fulfilling the EU's commitment of leaving nobody and no place behind.