European Social Fund in England

2000 - 2006: What ESF Does

The European Social Fund (ESF) is one of four Structural Funds designed to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union.

The 2000 to 2006 programmes will provide about £4.5 billion in Great Britain (£3.5 billion in England) in this period.

ESF aims

ESF's main purpose is to support the Lisbon National Reform Programme, which sets out how UK policies and initiatives take account of the Employment Guidelines established within the European Employment Strategy. ESF is channelled through three Structural Fund Objectives and the EQUAL Community Initiative.

The European Social Fund aims to:

• help unemployed and inactive people enter work
• provide opportunities for people at a disadvantage in the labour market
• promote lifelong learning
• develop the skills of employed people
• improve women's participation in the labour market

The Structural Funds

ESF is one of four Structural Funds. The others are:

• European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - funds projects to improve communications and services, for example building roads. For further information on ERDF can be found on the DCLG website.
• European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) - funds projects in the agriculture sector
• Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) - funds projects in the fisheries and aquaculture (farming water life) sector