The EU will invest EUR 222 million in ESF+ in funds in Cyprus to improve labour market policies, increase skills development and strengthen social cohesion in the country. ESF+ funding will enable far-reaching reforms and actions.  These will include fostering youth support, improving the labour market relevance of education and training, reinforcing the green and digital transition, restructuring social welfare services and combatting social exclusion.  

Key initiatives will support youth employability, the modernisation of public employment services, the development of vocational education and training, social economy actions and increasing access to social and long term care services. Support to young people will be extended through the ALMA initiative and individual learning accounts. Investments in social innovation will be enhanced. 

The ESF + programme includes measures under the European Child Guarantee, such as access to free school lunches for deprived pupils, affordable early childhood education and care and basic consumer goods for newbornsnew-borns. 

Cyprus is committed to use these ESF+ investments to achieve its 2030 targets under the European Pillar of Social Rights by increasing the employment rate to 80%, the annual adult learning to 61% and by curbing poverty, with 10 000 fewer people at risk. 

The ESF+ is implemented in Cyprus through the ‘Thalia’ programme, comprising alsowhich along with the ESF+ is comprised of funding from the Cohesion Fund, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Just Transition Fund (JTF).