Impact evaluation of the European Social Fund 2014-2020 programme in England
Source: gov.uk (2025-02-14)

This report provides results from an impact analysis of the European Social Fund 2014-2020 programme in England.

The European Social Fund (ESF) 2014-2020 programme in England was part of the European Union’s (EU) Structural and Investment Funds set up to support growth and jobs across the EU. The programme aimed to deliver against investment priorities defined by the European Commission (EC) to increase labour market participation, promote social inclusion and develop the skills of the potential and existing workforce.

DWP is Managing Authority for the programme in England. As part of the Withdrawal Agreement agreed between the UK government and the EU in 2020, England remained a member of the programme until its closure at the end of 2023. Separate programme operated in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This report forms part of a wider evaluation of the programme in England which aims to assess the programme’s effectiveness, impact and efficiency. It delivers a counterfactual impact analysis of the programme to compare the outcomes of ESF with the outcomes that would have been achieved had ESF not been in place.

The analysis and report have been produced by DWP professional analysts. The methods used are based on the European Social Fund impact evaluation: research design and scoping study (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-social-fund-impact-evaluation-research-design-and-scoping-study) with additional advice provided by independent subject experts commissioned by DWP and part funded by the European Social Fund.

Contribution to the evidence base

This report is one of seven reports published on GOV.UK which completes a body of evidence about the effectiveness, impact and value for money of the ESF 2014-2020 programme in England. These are:

European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative 2021-2023 Leavers Survey Report (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-social-fund-and-youth-employment-initiative-2021-to-2023-leavers-survey-report)

European Social Fund and Youth Employment Initiative Leavers Survey Report 2016-2019 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-social-fund-and-youth-employment-initiative-leavers-survey-report-2016-2019/european-social-fund-and-youth-employment-initiative-leavers-survey-report-2016-2019)

Evaluation of the European Social Fund 2014-2020 Programme in England: qualitative case study research - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-european-social-fund-2014-2020-programme-in-england-qualitative-case-study-research)

Youth Employment Initiative – Impact Evaluation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/youth-employment-initiative-impact-evaluation)

Youth Employment Initiative: process evaluation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/youth-employment-initiative-process-evaluation)

European Social Fund impact evaluation: research design and scoping study - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-social-fund-impact-evaluation-research-design-and-scoping-study)

Research value

The evaluation provides a legacy evidence base for informing the design of future employment and skills programmes for those furthest from the labour market and are being used to inform development of future domestic employment support.