Regulation (EC) No 1262/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 June 1999 on the European Social Fund
Date: 1999-06-21
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: European Social Fund, employment policy, fight against unemployment, gender equality, social integration, sustainable development

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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REGULATION (EC) No 1262/1999 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF
THE COUNCIL

of 21 June 1999

on the European Social Fund

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF
THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in articular Article 148 thereof,

Having
regard
Commission (1),

to

the

proposal

from the

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and
Social Committee (2),

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the
Regions (3),

Acting in accordance with Article 251 of
Treaty (4),

the

(1) Whereas Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999
of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions
on the Structural Funds (5) replaces Regulation
(EEC) No 2052/88 (6) and Regulation (EEC)
No 4253/88 (7); whereas it is also necessary to
replace Council Regulation (EEC) No 4255/88
of 19 December 1988 laying down provisions for
implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 as
regards the European Social Fund (8);

(1) OJ C 176, 9.6.1998, p. 39 and
OJ C 74, 18.3.1999, p. 7.
(2) OJ C 407, 28.12.1998, p. 74.
(3) OJ C 51, 22.2.1999, p. 48.
(4) European Parliament opinion of 19 November 1998 (OJ
C 379, 7.12.1998, p. 186), Council Common Position of
14 April 1999 (OJ C 134, 14.5.1999, p. 9) and European
Parliament Decision of 6 May 1999 (not yet published in
the Official Journal).

(5) See page 1 of this Official Journal.
(6) OJ L 185, 15.7.1988, p. 9. Regulation as last amended
by Regulation (EC) No 3193/94 (OJ L 337, 24.12.1994,
p. 11).

(7) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988, p. 1. Regulation as last amended

by Regulation (EC) No 3193/94.

(8) OJ L 374, 31.12.1988, p. 21. Regulation as last amended
by Regulation (EEC) No 2084/93 (OJ L 193, 31.7.1993,
p. 39).

by

are

the

Social

eligible

general

European

governing

(2) Whereas Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 defines
the
the
arrangements
Structural Funds as a whole and it is necessary
for
to define which activities
Fund
financing
(hereinafter the (cid:28)Fund’) within the framework of
Objectives 1, 2 and 3, referred to in Article 1,
first subparagraph, points 1, 2 and 3 of the
said Regulation (hereinafter
referred to as
(cid:28)Objectives 1, 2 and 3’), in the framework of the
Community initiative for combating all forms of
in connection
discrimination and inequalities
with the
and within the
framework of innovative measures and technical
assistance;

labour market,

(3) Whereas it is necessary to define the mission of
the Fund in relation to the tasks prescribed in
the Treaty and in the context of the priorities
agreed by the Community in the fields of human
resource development and employment;

(4) Whereas

of

the Conclusions of

the Amsterdam
in June 1997 and its
European Council
employment (9)
resolution
initiated the implementation of
the European
employment strategy, the annual guidelines on
employment and the process of establishing
national action plans for employment;

growth

and

the Fund,

(5) Whereas it is necessary to redefine the scope
the
in particular
of
restructuring and simplification of the Objectives
of the Structural Funds, to support the European
employment strategy and the national action
plans for employment linked to it;

following

(6) Whereas it

is necessary to define a common
framework for Fund interventions in all three
Structural Fund Objectives in order thereby to
ensure
and complementarity of
actions undertaken pursuant to those Objectives
with a view to improving the workings of the
human
to
labour market
resources;

consistency

developing

and

(9) OJ C 236, 2.8.1997, p. 3.

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(7) Whereas the Member States and the Commission
ensure that programming and implementation of
the actions financed by the Fund in the context
of all the Objectives contribute to the promotion
of equality of opportunity between men and
women and the promotion of the integration and
retention
and
disadvantaged
individuals in the labour market;

groups

of

be

arrangements may
local

introduced
(14) Whereas
whereby
non-
groups,
governmental organisations, may gain simple
and rapid access to Fund support for operations
concerned with combating social exclusion and
thereby build up their capacity for action in that
field;

including

(8) Whereas the Member States and the Commission
also ensure that the social dimension and the
employment aspect of the information society
in implementing
are duly taken into account
actions financed by the Fund;

(9) Whereas it is necessary to ensure that operations
relating to industrial adaptation take account of
the general needs of workers of either
sex
resulting from economic change and changes in
production systems identified or predicted and
are not designed to benefit a single firm or a
particular industry; whereas particular attention
should be devoted to small and medium-sized
enterprises and to enhancing access to training
and to improving work organisation;

(10) Whereas it is necessary to ensure that the Fund
continues to strengthen employment and job
qualifications by supporting anticipatory action
— as far as possible, counselling, networking
and
the
Community and that in consequence the eligible
activities are therefore horizontal and cover the
economy as a whole, without an a priori
restriction to specific industries or sectors;

throughout

operations

training

(11) Whereas it is necessary to redefine the eligible
actions in order to increase the effectiveness of
the implementation of policy aims in the context
of all the Objectives under which the Fund takes
action; whereas it
is necessary to define the
expenditure eligible for Fund assistance within
the framework of the partnership;

(12) Whereas

it

is necessary to supplement and
specify the content of plans and forms of
assistance, especially following the redefinition
of Objective 3;

(13) Whereas the provision of assistance from the
levels
should be based on the
Fund at all
Community’s
social and employment policy
priorities and on the priorities laid down in the
national action plans;

(15) Whereas measures of major importance to the
Community undertaken at the initiative of the
Commission have an important role to play in
achieving
the
Community structural action referred to in
Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999;
whereas
primarily
promote policy innovation and transnational
cooperation;

objectives

initiatives

general

should

such

the

of

(16) Whereas the Fund also contributes to support for
technical assistance and innovative measures,
and
and also for preparatory, monitoring
evaluation measures and control in accordance
with Articles 22 and 23 of Regulation (EC)
No 1260/1999;

(17) Whereas

is appropriate to lay down the
powers
implementing
the
provisions and to set out transitional provisions;

adoption of

it
for

(18) Whereas Regulation (EEC) No 4255/88 should

be repealed,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Tasks

Within the framework of the task entrusted to the
European Social Fund (the (cid:28)Fund’) by Article 146 of
the Treaty and of the tasks entrusted to the Structural
Funds pursuant to Article 159 of the Treaty and in
accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EC)
No 1260/1999, the Fund shall support measures to
prevent and combat unemployment and to develop
human resources and social integration into the labour
market
a high level of
to promote
employment,
equality between men and women,
sustainable development, and economic and social
cohesion. In particular, the Fund shall contribute to
the actions undertaken in pursuance of the European
Employment Strategy and the Annual Guidelines on
Employment.

in order

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Article 2

Scope

of Member

The Fund shall support and complement

the
1.
activities
towards
developing the labour market and human resources in
the following policy fields, in particular in the context
of
for
their multiannual national actions plans
employment:

directed

States

(e)

specific measures to improve women’s access to
and participation in the labour market, including
their career development, their access to new job
opportunities and to starting up of businesses,
and to reduce vertical and horizontal segregation
on the basis of sex in the labour market.

2. Within the policy fields set out in paragraph 1
the Fund shall take account of:

(a) developing and promoting active labour market
policies to combat and prevent unemployment, to
prevent both women and men from moving into
the
long-term unemployment,
reintegration of the long-term unemployed into
the
the
occupational integration of young people and of
persons returning to the labour market after a
period of absence;

labour market,

facilitate

support

and

to

to

(a)

(b)

for

local

concerning
support
employment,
in particular initiatives to support
local employment and territorial employment
pacts;

initiatives

programmes

the social and labour market dimensions of the
information society, notably by developing policy
and
the
designed
employment potential of the information society
and by ensuring equal access to its facilities and
benefits;

harness

to

(b) promoting equal opportunities for all in accessing
the labour market, with particular emphasis on
those exposed to social exclusion;

(c) equal opportunities for women and men as part

of the mainstreaming approach.

(c) promoting and improving:

— training,

— education,

— counselling,

as part of lifelong learning policy to:

— facilitate

access
integration into, the labour market,

improve

and

to,

and

— improve and maintain employability, and

— promote job mobility;

(d) promoting

a

skilled,

trained and adaptable
workforce, innovation and adaptability in work
organisation, developing entrepreneurship and
conditions facilitating job creation, and enhancing
skills and boosting human potential in research,
science and technology;

Article 3

Eligible activities

1.
The financial support of the Fund shall mainly
take the form of assistance to persons and be devoted
to the following activities to develop human resources
which may be part of a pathway approach to labour
market integration:

(a) education and vocational training — including
to compulsory
training equivalent
vocational
schooling,
in
apprenticeships,
particular the provision and upgrading of basic
skills, rehabilitation in employment, measures to
promote employability on the labour market,
guidance, counselling and continuing training;

pre-training,

(b) employment aids and aids for self-employment;

(c)

in the fields of research, science and technology
development, post-graduate
training and the
training of managers and technicians at research
establishments and in enterprises;

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(d) development of new sources of employment,
including in the social economy (third system).

Article 4

Concentration of assistance

2.
the
In order to increase the effectiveness of
activities referred to in paragraph 1 assistance may
also be given to:

(a)

structures and systems:

(i) development and improvement of training,
education and skills acquisition, including the
training of teachers, trainers and staff, and
improving the access of workers to training
and qualifications;

(ii) modernisation and improved efficiency of

employment services;

(iii) development of links between the worlds of
work and education, training, and research
establishments;

(iv) development, as far as possible, of systems
for anticipating changes in employment and
in qualification needs, particularly in relation
to new patterns of work and new forms of
work organisation, taking into account the
need for reconciliation of family and working
life and for enabling older workers to have a
fulfilling occupation until retirement. This
shall not, however, include the financing of
early-retirement schemes;

(b) accompanying measures:

(i)

assistance in the provision of services to
beneficiaires, including the provision of care
services and facilities for dependants;

(ii) promoting socio-educational development to
facilitate the pathway approach to labour
market integration;

(iii) awareness-raising, information and publicity.

1. With due regard to national priorities as laid
down in particular in the national action plans for
employment as well as to the ex-ante evaluation, a
strategy shall be set out taking account of all relevant
policy fields and paying particular attention to the
areas referred to in Article 2(1)(d) and (e). In order to
its
efficiency
the
maximise
interventions within this
strategy and taking into
account the priority fields referred to in Article 2(1),
shall be concentrated on a limited number of areas or
themes and be directed towards the most important
needs and the most effective operations.

support,

Fund

of

In allocating appropriations to each intervention by
the Funds a joint selection shall be made of the policy
fields to be given priority. The measures provided for
in Article 2(1) shall,
in accordance with national
priorities, be taken into account.

The programming of Fund interventions shall
2.
provide that a reasonable amount of
the Fund
appropriations made available for the intervention
in
within Objectives 1 and 3 shall be available,
conformity with Article 27 of Regulation (EC)
No 1260/1999,
in the form of small grants, with
special arrangements for access by non-governmental
organisations and local partnerships. Member States
may
in
accordance with financing arrangements set out in
Article 29(6) of Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999.

implement

paragraph

choose

this

to

Article 5

Community initiative

Pursuant

to Article 20 of Regulation (EC)
1.
No 1260/1999, the Fund shall,
in accordance with
Article 21(2) of that Regulation, contribute to the
for
implementation of
in
combating
connection with the labour market (EQUAL).

the Community initiative
inequalities

discrimination

and

3.
The Fund may finance activities pursuant to the
second subparagraph of Article 2(4) of Regulation
(EC) No 1260/1999.

In accordance with Article 21(2) of Regulation
2.
(EC) No 1260/1999, the decisions on the contribution
of the Fund to the Community initiative may extend
the scope of eligible activities referred to in Article 3
of this Regulation to cover measures which can be

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funded by Regulations (EC) No 1261/1999 (1), (EC)
No 1257/1999 (2) and (EC) No 1263/1999 (3) so as to
permit
the measures
provided for in the initiative.

implementation of all

the

Article 6

Innovative measures and technical assistance

1.
In accordance with Article 22(2) of Regulation
(EC) No 1260/1999, the Commission may finance
preparatory, monitoring and evaluation operations in
Member States or at Community level which are
necessary for the implementation of
the operation
referred to in this Regulation. They may include:

(a) operations of an innovatory nature and pilot
projects concerning labour markets, employment,
and vocational training;

(b)

studies, technical assistance and the exchange of
experience having a multiplier effect;

(c)

assistance

the
technical
preparation,
implementation, monitoring, and
evaluation, as well as control of operations
financed by the Fund;

connected

with

(d) operations directed, within the framework of
social dialogue, at staff from enterprises in two or
more Member States and concerning the transfer
of
to areas of
intervention by the Fund;

special knowledge

relating

(e)

informing the various partners involved, the final
beneficiaires of assistance from the Fund and the
general public.

In accordance with Article 22(2) of Regulation
2.
(EC) No 1260/1999,
the operations
the scope of
referred to in paragraph 1(a) of this Article shall be
extended, by a decision for Fund participation, to
measures
to
be
Regulations (EC) No 1261/1999, (EC) No 1257/1999
the
and (EC) No 1263/1999, so as to cover all
the
measuress necessary for the implementation of
innovative actions in question.

that may

pursuant

financed

Article 7

Applications for assistance

Applications for a contribution from the Fund shall be
accompanied by a computerised form, drawn up
jointly, listing the operations regarding each form of
assistance so that it can be followed through from
budgetary commitment to final payment.

Article 8

Implementing provisions

All detailed implementing rules for this Regulation
shall be adopted by the Commission according to the
procedure laid down in Article 49 of Regulation (EC)
No 1260/1999.

Article 9

Transitional provisions

The transitional provisions set out in Article 52 of
Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 shall apply mutatis
mutandis to this Regulation.

Article 10

Review clause

On a proposal from the Commission, the European
Parliament
review this
Regulation by 31 December 2006.

and the Council

shall

They shall act on this proposal in accordance with the
procedure laid down in Article 148 of the Treaty.

Article 11

Repeal

Regulation (EEC) No 4255/88 shall be repealed as
from 1 January 2000.

References
construed as references to this Regulation.

to the

repealed Regulation shall be

(1) See page 48 of this Official Journal.
(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999
rural development by the European
on support
Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) which amends
and repeals certain Regulations (OJ L 160, 26.6.1999, p.
80).

for

(3) See page 54 of this Official Journal.

Article 12

Entry into force

This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day
following its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Communities.

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This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.

Done at Luxembourg, 21 June 1999.

For the European Parliament

The President

J. M. GIL-ROBLES

For the Council

The President

G. VERHEUGEN