Malta will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the European Social Fund during a four-day event to be held in Malta and Gozo over the first week of September.

Since Malta joined the European Union in 2004, the ESF has funded training for more than 7,000 people, leading to the creation or retention of more than 1,000 jobs in Malta and Gozo.

The ESF was set up in 1957 to support the European Union’s employment objectives. Over the past 50 years, it has helped millions of EU citizens reach their full potential in terms of training, skills and employment.

The ESF anniversary celebrations will be held at Freedom Square, Valletta on 3, 4 and 5 September between 10am and 7.30pm and at the Marsalforn Promenade, Marsalforn, Gozo on 7 September between 5 and 11pm.

The event is being co-financed by the European Union through the Structural Funds Programme for Malta, 2004-2006: at 75 per cent by the European Social Fund and 25 per cent by the Malta government.