Innovative Approaches Tackling Long-Term Unemployment
The European Social Fund+ (ESF+) Social Innovation+ (SI+) initiative has launched a Call for proposals aimed at addressing the persistent challenge of long-term unemployment across EU Member States and associated countries. With a substantial budget of 23 million EUR, this initiative seeks to support innovative projects that foster the integration of long-term unemployed individuals into the labor market while promoting their social inclusion. The Call emphasizes the importance of cooperation among local employment stakeholders, partnerships with employers, and the provision of personalized support tailored to the needs of long-term unemployed individuals, especially those facing significant barriers to employment. Projects selected for funding will operate on a transnational scale and are expected to span 36 months, with grant amounts ranging from EUR 1 million to EUR 3 million per project, constituting up to 80% of the total project budget.
To be eligible for funding, consortia consisting of at least two legal entities from different eligible countries must apply, with at least one entity demonstrating a track record in addressing long-term unemployment. The Call underscores the necessity of leveraging diverse expertise and resources to implement effective solutions, emphasizing collaboration and innovation in tackling this pressing socio-economic issue.
