ESF Operational Programme for Continental Finland 2007-2013

The ESF programme supports the achievement of the Community's social inclusion objectives laid down in the Lisbon strategy and the European Employment Strategy as well as the implementation of the relevant National Reform Programmes. The target of the programme is to concentrate on the most important challenges of the labour, education and industrial policies, so that ESF measures will complement and bring genuine added value to the national activities.

The ESF Operational Programme encompasses four priorities. In addition, a priority axis of technical assistance was prepared. The priorities are based on the Finnish Structural Fund strategy 2007-2013 and the ESF strategy, and they will be implemented both under the national and the regional sections.

These priorities are:

Priority 1:  Development of work organisations, the workforce and enterprises, and promoting entrepreneurship

Priority 2:  Promoting access to employment and sustainable inclusion in the labour market and preventing social exclusion

Priority 3:  Development of skills, innovation and services systems that promote the functioning of the labour market

Priority 4:  Transnational and inter-regional ESF actions

Priority 5:  Technical assistance

The ESF financial framework of the programme is €615.4 million. In addition, national public funding to the amount of €798.7 million has been reserved for the implementation of the programme.
More information:
ESF Operational Programme for Continental Finland , Ministry of Labour