ESF launch Conference

10/2/2014

The European Commission, together with the Greek Presidency of the European Council, organised a launch conference for the new programming period of the European Social Fund.

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor and Giannis Vroutsis, Greek Minister of Labour Social Security and Welfare, opened the conference which took place on 6-7 February 2014 in Brussels.

The objective was to bring together policy makers and ESF stakeholders to exchange views on how the ESF could be more effective and efficient in the context of the 2014-2020 programming period. The conference explored which policies the ESF could and should support under the new investment priorities and how this could be best achieved.

The event focused on new ESF policy areas and tools. Mutual learning, sharing of expertise, and common understanding in these areas aimed at helping the participants to work towards the achievement of the priorities identified in the Country Specific Recommendations and Commission services' Position Papers, thereby furthering the Europe 2020 targets.

It is noted that Ms Stamatia Papoulia, Head of the Greek ESF Actions Coordination and Monitoring Authority, participated as a speaker to the plenary session titled "Integrated approach and programming" contributing to the discussion on strengthening the integrated approach of ESI Funds' support in the new programming period 2014-2020. 

The plenary sessions in the morning of 6 and 7 February were web streamed, while, at the same time, questions could be raised via Twitter (#EUfunds).

For more information, please visit the conference web page.

Related files

• Commissioner Andor's speech (PDF - 55.3 Kb)
• Agenda (PDF - 154.32 Kb)
• Keynotes of G. Vroutsis, Minister of Labour (PDF - 45.66 Kb)

Pictures