Cyprus gets EUR 120 mln EU aid for workforce and social cohesion

The European Commission has made a significant step to help Cyprus reap the full benefits of EU membership by launching the Cypriot programme to promote employment. The programme, which is being co-financed by the EU and Cypriot Government through the European Social Fund (ESF), is a genuine commitment to investing in people and skills.  Receiving EUR 119.7 million in EU funding, the programme aims to help workers adapt to a changing economy and give people more opportunity to gain professional skills through education and training.

Vladimír Å pidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, welcomed the adoption. He said, “Recent EU efforts to boost jobs are showing results. The number of people at work is rising and unemployment is falling. But more needs to be done. Europe must tackle the challenges of globalisation, new technologies, an ageing population and step up research and innovation. The ESF strengthens Europe‘s capacity to create good jobs and equip workers with the right skills to fill them. But these objectives must be put into practice at national level”.

The Cypriot programme will focus on: developing a more skilled workforce capable of adapting to economic change, helping more people into the labour market in a sustainable manner and ensuring increased social cohesion

The ESF provides over EUR 10 billion a year across the EU as a whole. At the end of the new funding period 2007-2013, the EU will have contributed some EUR 75 billion to the 27 Member States. This represents more than 10% of the total budget of the European Union. Member States and regions draw up their own ESF Operational Programmes so they can respond to the real needs “on the ground”.

Cyprus’ ESF strategy will be implemented through one Operational Programme. In Cyprus the ESF-funded Operational Programme will be receiving some EUR 119.7 million over the next seven years.

 

European Social Fund

The European Social Fund, created in 1957, is the European Union’s main financial instrument for investing in people. It focuses on five key areas: helping workers and companies adapt to a constantly changing economy;  increasing access to employment and participation in the labour market, improving training and skills – both for individuals, and through better education and training systems;  reinforcing the social inclusion of disadvantaged people and  combating discrimination in the labour market;  promoting partnerships for reform in the fields of employment and inclusion, for example between employers, trade unions and non-governmental organisations

In some Member States and regions, the ESF can also support actions to improve the capacity and effectiveness of public administrations and public services.

For more information, see:
http://ec.europa.eu/esf

http://www.mlsi.gov.cy

Examples of ESF projects funded in the EU:

http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/esf/projects/all_projects_en.htm