• The ESF+ programs in Germany are in line with the country-specific recommendations, the investment guidelines, the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Commission’s EPSR action plan. The Covid-19 pandemic led to a severe economic slump in spring 2020. GDP shrank by 11.3% in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter last year. The number of short-time workers has meanwhile increased to around 6 million. The number of unemployed increased by 21.6% over the course of 2020 (December 2020 compared to the same month of the previous year 2019), the number of long-term unemployed rose by 33.2% in the same period. Due to the advancing demographic, green and digital change processes, investments in (education) are of central importance for Germany’s competitiveness and future viability.
• One focus of the ESF funding period 2014-2020 in Germany was reducing the number of people affected by long-term unemployment. Between 2008 and 2019, their number was reduced by 1.103 million or around 68%. In contrast, the at-risk-of-poverty rate fell only slightly over the same period and is now just under 15 percent. People living alone, single parents and the low-skilled and their children have above-average poverty risk rates. There are also pronounced differences in the poverty risk rates between the regions and districts.
• In Germany there are groups of people who are particularly affected by poverty and exclusion and are considered to be far removed from the labor market. This includes, including the children of those affected, some of the newly immigrated EU citizens who have come from poverty in their countries of origin, as well as homeless people and people at risk of homelessness. According to available estimates, their numbers have continued to rise. Improving the living conditions and social integration of these two particularly disadvantaged target groups, some of whom also suffer from discrimination, represents a particular challenge for many municipalities. a. aim at the socio-economic and social inclusion of disadvantaged people and their families.
• The ESF+ focuses in particular on promoting active inclusion (Specific Objective h), adapting workers, companies and entrepreneurs to change, active and healthy aging and a healthy and decent work environment that takes health risks into account (Specific Objective d), and equitable access to quality and inclusive education and training, especially for disadvantaged groups, from early childhood through general education and vocational education and training to higher education and adult learning, as well as facilitating learning mobility for all and accessibility for people with disabilities (Specific Objective f).
• Funding priorities in the ESF+ program 2021-2027

Policy Objective 5 “A Europe closer to its citizens by promoting sustainable and integrated development of all types of territories and local initiatives”

Allocation of cohesion policy funds into national and regional programmes

2. Promoting social inclusion and fighting poverty

• Promotion of disadvantaged young people with the aim of leading an independent lifestyle (EMPOWER YOUTH); Promotion of transnational mobility measures for unemployed/job-seeking young people (JUVENTUS)
• Testing of new ways of addressing immigrant young people or young descendants of immigrants (give advice)
• Support for disadvantaged families, families in special circumstances and families with children who are affected or at risk of poverty (Akti(F) Plus; ParentChancesN)
• Improving the (training) and job market opportunities of people with a migration background, including refugees (WE)
• Partner program of the urban development promotion program “Social cohesion – shaping coexistence in the neighborhood together” and additionally in selected disadvantaged city quarters: measures to increase the employability and labor market integration of people, strengthening the local economy (BIWAQ)
• Promotion of micro-projects for social participation and overcoming loneliness/social isolation of people (Strengthening the participation of older people)