Het EU-cohesiebeleid investeert in werkgelegenheid en groei op de lange termijn in Europa. Het steunt de Europa 2020-Strategie, die gericht is op een arbeidsparticipatie van 75% van de 20- tot 64-jarigen in 2020.
Er zal worden geïnvesteerd in een actief arbeidsmarktbeleid, zelfstandig ondernemerschap, arbeidsmarktinstellingen, actief en gezond ouder worden, jeugdwerkgelegenheid en andere maatregelen die zijn ontworpen om de werkgelegenheid en arbeidsmobiliteit te stimuleren.
The European Social Fund (ESF) is the main Cohesion Policy fund supporting employment and labour mobility. In addition to the measures financed by the ESF, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) improves the conditions for job creation through investments in innovation and R&D, access to finance, infrastructure development, business support, self-employment, SMEs and creation of micro-enterprises. Investments in employment services, local development initiatives, strategies for specific areas, including the conversion of declining industrial regions, are also eligible for ERDF support.
Linked to its contribution in the area of social inclusion, EU cohesion policy supports labour market reforms that promote equal opportunities for all, in particular women, young and old workers and ethnic minorities.