The EU will invest nearly EUR 6.7 billion in ESF+ funds in France to promote inclusive economic development combining social and employment support. Access to the labour market will be enhanced through support to entrepreneurship, employment, social and solidarity economy, as well as dedicated measures for the youth, such as the new ALMA initiative, supporting the mobility of young people not in employment, education or training, The ESF+ will also promote access to education and life-long learning by facilitating access to up and re-skilling measures, quality education and vocational training and career guidance, supporting the green and digital transitions.

Individuals and families at risk of poverty and social exclusion will be assisted through actions combating poverty and promoting social integration or through food and material aid, including also to children. Territorial and socio-economic disparities in access to healthcare, education and social services will also be addressed, in particular in the Outermost Regions.

These ESF+ investments will support France to achieve its 2030 social targets under the European Pillar of Social Rights by raising the employment rate to 78%, adult participation in education and training to 65% and reducing the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by nearly 1.1 million.

France implements the ESF+ via two ESF+ national programmes – for employment, inclusion, skills and youth, and for food aid, and 17 regional programmes, comprising funding from both ERDF and ESF+. This is complemented by a national programme for employment and skills funded through the Just Transition Fund (JTF), with a total of EUR 309 million.