Debate: European Social Fund Plus  -
Date: TUESDAY, 8 JUNE 2021
Speaker: Nicolas Schmit
Language: EN

Indeed, today more than ever – and you already insisted on the different aspects the Social Fund has to support – we need to put people first and centre, both to succeed in the green and digital transitions and to shape a recovery that is fair, inclusive and sustainable. We will simply tackle these important challenges if we really do take people along. At the Porto Social Summit, the EU leaders, the European institutions – and particularly also the Parliament – social partners and civil society reaffirmed their pledge to work towards a strong social Europe. The implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan is the right way to achieve this goal. But, also in this context, the adoption of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) represents an important step in this direction and, I would say, an indispensable tool to achieve this goal. It is vital that we can now programme concrete measures under the Fund with legal certainty in order to facilitate the transitions, support the most vulnerable and contribute to the social recovery of Europe by creating a positive dynamic towards upward social and economic convergence within and between Member States. The final agreement reached by co—legislators is indeed balanced. It is a credible response to the economic and social challenges we are currently facing. As you did already, rapporteur, let me also highlight also a few key aspects. All Member States will invest 25% of their ESF+ resources in social inclusion measures and, in addition, all Member States will use 3% to address material deprivation. This important outcome was driven by the European Parliament’s negotiating team and is the right response to the challenges that the pandemic has indeed amplified. It is an imperative to tackle poverty, inequalities and social exclusion in order to avoid permanent scars from the pandemic crisis and also to reduce pre-existing long—term negative trends in this relation. I also emphasise that the agreed text ensures that sufficient funding will be allocated to the key target groups who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID—19 pandemic: children at risk of poverty and social exclusion, and especially young people in search of finding their place in the labour market and finally in society. This is a very important signal that we are giving. We want to invest in children and youth to build fairer and more resilient economies and societies. As stated in the Porto Declaration by Heads of State and Government – and I quote this, because this is a very strong commitment – ‘We will prioritise action to support young people who have been very negatively affected by the COVID—19 crisis. Young people represent an indispensable source of dynamism, talent and creativity for Europe’. The Commission will do its utmost to foster this dynamism, these talents and this creativity by using the European Social Fund Plus resources. This is also why the Commission stands by its two statements to do the utmost to ensure that all Member States shall programme an appropriate amount of their ESF+ national resources to tackle child poverty and to support youth employment. The ESF+ must effectively contribute to the implementation of both the Child Guarantee and the Youth Guarantee. Work is already ongoing in that regard within the bilateral negotiations on the programmes between the Member States and the Commission. This is absolutely key to establish a strong and inclusive recovery. Finally, I would like to highlight the importance of the contribution of social partners and civil society. The negotiations have strengthened their involvement and ensured sufficient funding. It is by involving these actors that we can reach the best results. The European Social Fund Plus is our main tool to invest in people. This is the best answer we can give to the challenges we are facing with the ongoing transitions, and I know I can count on you and on this Parliament, and look forward to continued fruitful cooperation.