The European Social Fund has often been overshadowed by more visible European Union social and economic policies. It is, however, integral to the construction and development of the EU and has played a central role in the impact of the EU on individual member states.Based upon a study of the ESF and a range of social policy documents from the Treaty of Rome to the Treaty of Amsterdam, this analysis examines the connections between the ESF and other areas of EU policy. The European Social Fund and the EU will be of particular use to anyone interested in social and economic regeneration across the European Union.

Jubilæumsskrift for Den Europæiske Socialfond

This book reviews how local social and employment policy fields react to the European Social Fund (ESF) to determine the role of the ESF in local activation policies. Drawing on both sociology and political science literature on welfare state reforms, the author examines what shapes local policy reactions to ESF and what effects these reactions have on change in local policy fields. Comparing data from 18 local case studies across 6 European countries, and deploying an innovative mixed-method approach, the book presents comparative evidence on everyday challenges in the context of the ESF and discusses how these findings are applicable to other funding schemes.

"Focuses on EU funding instruments used to help people into employment or out of poverty and social exclusion. The guide outlines the aims and objectives of four specific funds: the European Social Fund (ESF); the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD); the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI); and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF). There is a particular focus on priorities for the EU's new financial period, which runs from 2014-2020, and on how these funds will support Europe 2020, the EU's economic strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth."-- Page [4] of cover.

"This brochure introduces the European Social Fund: setting out what it is and what it does; and describing how ESF activities are helping many groups of people from across Europe to get new skills and improve their job prospects. To accompany this brochure, there is a series of 27 country-sheets, one for each EU Member State. These provide country-specific information on ESF funding priorities and programmes and use examples of real projects to illustrate how ESF funding is boosting employment and social cohesion" -- EU Bookshop.