The EU Structural Funds : Presentation

The Structural Funds support the majority of EU-funded actions in the Member States of the European Union. The current round of Structural Funds runs from 2000 to 2006.

The European Social Fund (ESF) is the main financial instrument allowing the Union to realise the strategic objectives of its employment policy. The Community Initiative EQUAL is dealing with equality and social inclusion.

From its start, EAPN has campaigned to ensure that the Funds are used in a way that benefits and supports people experiencing poverty. EAPN remains committed to working to ensure that social cohesion takes its place alongside economic cohesion as a central goal for the European Union. One vital plank of EAPN’s position has been to argue that NGOs, including grassroots organisations, can make a vital contribution to achieving the aims of the Structural Funds.