The European Commission has adopted the two national programmes implementing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Poland. These programmes will finance activities in the area of the labour market, education and skills as well as social inclusion.
In particular, the ESF+ will help to build the skills individuals need for the green and digital transitions, and will significantly increase the overall number of training opportunities. Lifelong learning, accessibility for persons with disabilities and a healthier work-life balance – including expanded childcare services – will be a priority. Funds will also help reach Poland’s most vulnerable with basic necessities In the current geo-political context, it is important to mention that 10 % of the target group are people displaced from Ukraine.
Better skills and access to jobs, education and social inclusion
With a budget of nearly €4.9 billion (€4 billion from the EU and €850 million from Poland), the European Funds for Social Development 2021-2027 programme will help modernise education and training systems – improving quality of services while preparing for the green and digital transitions. It will also expand childcare and improve work-life balance, advancing gender equality, increasing the participation of women in the labour market. Persons with disabilities and their families will benefit from the programme’s actions, fighting social exclusion and helping integration into the labour market, as well as enabling better accessibility of higher education, public institutions, information, products and services.
The programme will have a wide remit, covering also activities that improve the system of social and health services, including socioeconomic integration of migrants, , foster care, mental health and long-term care. The programme also offers financial instruments for business start-ups, as well as opportunities for the development of the social economy.
Reaching Poland’s most vulnerable
The European Funds for Food Aid 2021-2027 programme is a follow up of the Operational Programme Food Aid 2014-2020 previously financed from the Fund for European Aid for the Most Deprived (FEAD). It provides essential support, including food aid, to those who need it most. With a contribution of over €500 million from the EU budget under ESF+– and additional €60 million from Poland – the programme provides for individuals and families, who are unable to afford a nutritious meal.
The programme also seeks to combat social exclusion, helping people in need to participate in free training or workshops, learning valuable skills in food preparation, efficient household budget management and food waste prevention, bringing a sense of self-reliance and community involvement.
These two national programmes are expected to have wide-reaching impacts, with over one million people developing new skills, 55 000 new childcare places created and 400 new centres of mental health support for children made available through the programme. More than 1.3 million people in need are expected to benefit from food aid as part of programme funding.
Actions at national level are complemented by 16 regional programmes - one for each Voivodeship, also comprising funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), with five programmes incorporating the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The total ESF+ investments in Poland from the EU budget at both national and regional level is EUR 12,9 billion.
Support for displaced people from Ukraine, which is ongoing under the current regional programmes, will continue in all programmes on the regional level over the 2021-2027 programming period.
