EuroHealthNet responds to EU consulation on mid-term evaluation of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027
EuroHealthNet contributes to the mid-term evaluation of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) by providing evidence on its effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence, and EU added value.
We welcome ESF+’s alignment with the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and advocate for targeted actions, particularly in addressing child poverty. We support the requirement for Member States with child poverty rates exceeding the EU average to allocate at least 5% of ESF+ funds towards this issue and urge all Member States to allocate ESF+ resources for combating child poverty.
ESF+ plays a vital role in promoting public health by addressing social determinants, targeting vulnerable populations, building individual capacity and social capital, empowering communities, fostering collaboration, and ensuring measurable impacts. However, challenges such as fragmentation, monitoring gaps, administrative complexity, resource allocation, and co-funding rates need attention to enhance the program’s effectiveness in addressing emerging health inequalities and promoting societal resilience.
