The Planning and Priorities Coordination Division (PPCD) within the Office of the Prime Minister has just launched the third call for project proposals under the European Social Fund (ESF) within the Malta Structural Funds Programme for the years 2004-2006.
Later on this year the PPCD will be launching the call for proposals under the 2007-2013 programmes.
The ESF was created 50 years ago in 1957 with the intention to target a number of specific areas considered to be of a social nature. Since its inception, the ESF aimed at assisting Europeans improve their skills and, consequently, their job prospects. It is considered to be the EU’s main source of financial support for efforts to develop employability and human resources and facilitate social integration into the labour market. It helps member states combat unemployment, prevent people from dropping out of the labour market and promote training to make Europe’s workforce and companies better equipped to face new global challenges.
The ESF is one of the union’s four Structural Funds, which were set up to reduce differences in prosperity and living standards and help areas of Europe which, for some reason or another, are suffering difficulties, thereby promoting economic and social cohesion. In doing so, it promotes the overall harmonious development of the Community and tries to reduce disparities between the levels of development of the various regions.
To do this, the ESF spends European money on the achievement of the goals agreed in the European Employment Strategy which brings together all member states to work at increasing Europe’s capacity to create good jobs, and providing people with the skills to fill them.
The ESF channels its money into strategic, long-term programmes in member states and regions across the EU, particularly those where economic development is less advanced. Each member state, including Malta, plans – together with the European Commission – a seven-year-long programme and then implements it through a wide range of organisations, both in the public and private sector.
These organisations include national, regional and local authorities, educational and training institutions, NGOs and the voluntary sector, as well as social partners, for example trade unions, industry and professional associations and individual companies.
The ESF co-finances up to 75% of each and every approved project. In the period 2000-2006, the ESF has granted about e70 billion to people and projects across the EU.
Malta has drawn up the Single Programming Document (SPD) for the period 2004-2006, which identifies a strategic plan for which the EU Structural Funds are being used. The current call for proposals covers Measures 2.1 (Employability and Adaptability) and 2.2 (Gender Equality) under Priority 2 of the SPD. Funds available for this call amount to approximately e600,000: e500,000 for Measure 2.1 and e100,000 for Measure 2.2.
The year 2007 means a new programming period until 2013. New simplified regulations are being prepared, which will enable the funds to respond more effectively to the challenges of the 21st century. These new rules introduce some of the biggest changes in the operation of the Structural Funds for more than a decade. For the beneficiaries of the ESF, this will mean better jobs and opportunities for all.
The links between the ESF and the European Employment Strategy are being reinforced so that the ESF can contribute more effectively to the employment objectives and targets of the Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs. Particular importance is being placed on the strategy’s three main objectives of full employment, quality and productivity at work, social cohesion and social inclusion.
Mr Vella is Consultation Coordinator at the Forum Malta fl-Ewropa
[email protected]