This Regulation (EU) 2025/1913 amends Regulation (EU) 2021/1057, which established the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). The amendment aims to provide Member States with more flexibility to address strategic challenges, particularly in light of recent geopolitical and economic events. It allows for the refocusing of resources on emerging priorities, such as skills development in the defense industry and adaptation to changes linked to decarbonization, without undermining the ESF+’s social objectives. The regulation introduces specific measures related to the mid-term review of ESF+ programs, including additional pre-financing and adjustments to eligibility and decommitment deadlines.
The amending Regulation consists of three articles. Article 1 introduces several amendments to Regulation (EU) 2021/1057, including the insertion of a new Article 5a and amendments to Article 12a, as well as the insertion of new Articles 12c and 12d. These changes primarily focus on providing additional flexibility and support for Member States to address strategic challenges through the ESF+. Article 2 sets limitations on program amendments and transfers, ensuring that funds are not reallocated from areas where there are issues with compliance or financial management. Article 3 stipulates the entry into force of the Regulation.
Several provisions of this act are particularly important. The introduction of Article 5a provides additional one-off pre-financing for programs, especially those covering regions bordering Russia, Belarus, or Ukraine. This pre-financing is conditional on reallocating at least 10% of the program’s financial resources to dedicated priorities. The amendments also introduce dedicated support for skills development in civil preparedness, the defense industry, and adaptation linked to decarbonization (Articles 12c and 12d). These articles allow for increased co-financing rates and exceptional pre-financing for related projects, aiming to incentivize investment in these strategic areas.
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