The European Social Fund (ESF) was set up under the Treaty of Rome to improve workers’ mobility and employment opportunities. Its tasks and operational rules have since been revised and complementary EU instruments have been integrated to enhance coherence and synergies, and reflect developments in the economic and employment situation in the Member States, as well as the evolution of the political priorities defined at EU level. As a result, ESF+ has become the main EU instrument for investing in people. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP Read more