The purpose of this study is to support the European Commission in its mid-term evaluation of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). It assessed both ESF+ strands (shared management and EaSi strand, implemented respectively under direct and indirect management) and covered the period from the ESF+ regulation’s entry into force in June 2021 until the end of 2023.

The study explored how the design of the fund and the changes from the previous programming period are supporting synergies between the two strands and with other funding programmes and policies. It also examined the continued relevance of the ESF+ to the changing policy context and the needs on the ground, its internal coherence and external coherence with other programmes, and efficiency and effectiveness in initial implementation.

This study was also the basis for a Staff Working Document.