Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) 2014-2020

2011/0270(COD)

The European Parliament adopted by 527 votes to 31, with 48 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on a European Union Programme for Social Change and Innovation.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading, following the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of a compromise negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council. They amended the Commission proposal as follows:

General objectives: Parliament laid down the following objectives:

  • strengthen ownership among policy-makers at all levels, and produce concrete, coordinated and innovative actions at both Union and Member State level, in respect of the Union objectives, in close collaboration with the social partners, as well as civil society organisations and public and private bodies;
  • promote decent work and working conditions, a prevention culture for health and safety at work, a healthier balance between professional and private life;
  • contribute to modernising Union law, in line with decent work principles;
  • promote workers’ voluntary geographical mobility on a fair basis and boost employment opportunities by developing high-quality and inclusive Union labour markets that are open and accessible to all, while respecting workers’ rights throughout the Union;
  • increase the availability and accessibility of microfinance for vulnerable people who wish to start up a micro-enterprise.

The Programme should also:

  • promote the creation of quality and sustainable 'green', 'white' and ICT jobs,
  • anticipate and develop new skills and competencies for new quality and sustainable jobs.

In pursuing those objectives, the Programme shall, in all its axes and actions, aim to: (i) pay particular attention to vulnerable groups, such as young people; (ii) promote equality between women and men; (iii) combat discrimination; (iv) promote a high-level of quality and sustainable employment; (v) guarantee adequate and decent social protection, combat long-term unemployment and fight against poverty and social exclusion.

Budget: the financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020 shall amount to EUR 919 469 000, in current prices. It shall be broken down as follows:

  • 61% to the Progress axis;
  • 18% to the EURES axis;
  • 21% to the Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship axis.

Thematic sections and financing:

1. The Progress axis shall support actions in one or more of the thematic sections:

  • employment, in particular to fight youth unemployment: 20 %;
  • social protection, social inclusion and the reduction and prevention of poverty: 50 %;
  • working conditions: 10 %.

From the overall allocation for the Progress axis, and within its different thematic sections, 15% to 20% shall be allocated to the promotion of social experimentation as a method for testing and evaluating innovative solutions with a view to up-scaling them.

Where activities under the Progress axis are financed following a call for proposals, they may receive Union co-financing which shall not exceed, as a general rule, 80 % of the total eligible expenditure.

2. The EURES axis shall support actions in one or more of the thematic sections:

  • transparency of job vacancies, applications and any related information for applicants and employers: 32 %;
  • development of services for the recruitment and placing of workers in employment through the clearance of job vacancies and applications at Union level, in particular targeted mobility schemes: 30 %;
  • cross-border partnerships: 18 %.

Where activities under the EURES axis are financed following a call for proposals, they may receive Union co-financing which shall not exceed, as a general rule, 95 % of the total eligible expenditure.

3. The Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship axis shall support actions in one or more of the thematic sections:

  • microfinance for vulnerable groups and micro-enterprises: 45 %;
  • social entrepreneurship: 45 %.

Support may be given to microfinance and social enterprises, including for institutional capacity building, in particular through the financial instruments.

Consistency and complementarity: in order to offer added-value, close synergies and complementarity should be developed between the Programme and other Union Programmes and the Structural Funds, especially the ESF and the Youth Employment Initiative. Consistency and complementarity shall also be ensured through close involvement by local and regional authorities.

Cooperation with relevant bodies: the Commission shall establish the necessary links with the Employment Committee, the Social Protection Committee, the Advisory Committee on Health and Safety at Work, the Group of Directors-General for Industrial Relations and the Advisory Committee on Freedom of Movement of Workers in order to ensure that they are regularly and appropriately informed of progress in implementing the Programme.

The Commission shall inform Union stakeholders, including social partners and civil society organisations, of the results of the implementation of the Programme.