Today, the Commission adopted its Partnership Agreement with Sweden, laying down Sweden's €2.2 billion investment strategy for the economic, social and territorial cohesion for the 2021-2027 period. It will support the country to implement key EU priorities such as the green and digital transition and contribute to the development of a new competitive, innovative and export-oriented growth model.
For a socially inclusive labour market
With a total of €706 million from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), Sweden will promote a more social and inclusive society thanks to investments in lifelong learning and upskilling. In particular, several measures will support children and adults at risk of poverty or social exclusion. In the northern sparsely populated areas funding will focus to strengthen the capacity of local and regional labour market institutions and employment services.
Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, added: “To meet the demands of the green and digital transition, Member States should invest heavily in skills and lifelong learning. Sweden plans to dedicate more than €175 million for different skills measures in all stages of life, from help to school-age children with homework to upskilling measures to help people find and advance in their careers.”
Background
The Partnership Agreement with Sweden paves the way for cohesion-specific operational programmes to be implemented on the ground. It covers 4 national programmes (ERDF, ESF+, JTF, EMFAF) and 8 regional programmes. Moreover, it establishes the eligibility and implementation of the JTF in the regions with the most carbon-intensive industrial facilities to help them face the challenges of the transition to climate neutrality.
The Partnership Agreement also reflects Sweden's strong commitment to the coordinated use of the Cohesion Policy funds with the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Under Cohesion Policy, and in cooperation with the Commission, each Member State prepares a Partnership Agreement, a strategic document for programming investments from the Cohesion Policy funds and the EMFAF during the Multiannual Financial Framework. Focussed on EU priorities, it lays down the strategy and investment priorities identified by the Member State and presents a list of national and regional programmes for implementation on the ground, including the indicative annual financial allocation for each programme.
The adoption of the Partnership Agreement with Sweden follows those of Greece, Germany, Lithuania, Austria, Finland, Czechia, Denmark and France.
