ESF+ Employment, Education, Training and Social Economy
Programme description
Spain’s ESF+ national programme for education and social inclusion aims to enhance access to employment, ensure gender equality in the workforce, facilitate the adaptation of workers and enterprises to labour market changes, and promote better quality training systems.
The main beneficiaries are the unemployed, vulnerable people, persons with disabilities, female entrepreneurs, self-employed people, small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs), students and teaching staff in vocational education and training (VET), students with special needs, and migrants.
The programme provides tools to address employment challenges, including increasing access to employment, improving job quality, and promoting skills for the green, digital or blue economy. Actions will also address education challenges to improve quality, reduce early school leaving and adapt training to labour-market needs. Actions under the European Child Guarantee will reduce inequalities during childhood.
Addressing these challenges will contribute to Spain’s national targets under the European Pillar of Social Rights, which aim for a 76% employment rate by 2030, 60% adult participation in learning in the past 12 months, and a reduction of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 2.8 million.
Employment and social economy
The programme aims to reduce unemployment through hiring incentives, improve the quality of jobs, and foster the social economy. It will promote women’s participation in the labour market and strengthen the upskilling and reskilling of workers.
Education and training
ESF+ investments in Spain will improve quality and access to education, reduce early school leaving, and boost vocational education and training (VET) programmes, including dual programmes combining both classroom learning and practical work experience. Funds will also be used to update education curricula and foster collaboration between educational institutions and the business sector. Dedicated actions will support pre-doctoral education staff and researchers and facilitate the accreditation of skills and the upskilling of workers in the green, circular, blue, and digital economy.
Child guarantee
The programme devotes resources to financially support vulnerable students, including those with special educational needs, ensuring equal opportunities for success in school. ESF+ funding also guarantees free access to early childhood education (0–3-years old), focusing on increasing access for vulnerable children.
Expected impact
More than 4 million participants will benefit from the programme, including:
- More than 1 million citizens will benefit from upskilling and reskilling activities;
- More than 1 million entrepreneurs will receive guidance and support to set their own business;
- More than 750 000 students will learn in a more inclusive, equal, and accessible educational system.
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESF+ | 2.575.433.769,00 | 1.122.770.127,00 | 3.698.203.896,00 |
| Total | 2.575.433.769,00 | 1.122.770.127,00 | 3.698.203.896,00 |
Priorities and Specific Objectives
Social Europe
Access to employment and activation measures for all
Gender balanced labour market participation
Adaptation of workers and enterprises to change
Improving education and training systems
Quality and inclusive education and training systems
Lifelong learning and career transitions