Call for Project Proposals under ESF

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is a central financial instrument of the European Union designed to promote employment, social inclusion, education, and sustainable development across member states. In Malta, the ESF+ Programme 2021–2027 focuses on reducing inequalities, enhancing employability, and strengthening social protection systems. The fund supports both public and private actors, including NGOs, social partners, and governmental bodies, in implementing inclusive policies and initiatives that address societal challenges, improve access to essential services, and foster equality in the labor market. By combining EU priorities with local needs, ESF+ empowers communities to create sustainable solutions and ensures the development of long-term strategies for active inclusion, education, and workforce participation, while promoting adherence to environmental and social responsibility principles. The fund also emphasizes monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge sharing to maximize impact, enabling organizations to adopt evidence-based approaches and scalable interventions. Through collaborative efforts, the ESF+ programme strengthens Malta’s capacity to deliver high-quality, equitable, and accessible services, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient society for all residents. Its strategic focus ensures that vulnerable populations, including youth, long-term unemployed, disadvantaged groups, and marginalized communities, can actively participate in socio-economic development.

The ESF+ Priority 2 grant in Malta, under Call 16, is designed to foster active inclusion for all residents, especially vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. The programme aims to improve access to quality and sustainable services, including healthcare, social protection, housing, child protection, and long-term care. Projects are expected to promote employment opportunities, strengthen social integration, support education and lifelong learning, and address socio-economic disparities. Interventions should include measures to enhance labor market participation, particularly for youth, long-term unemployed, and disadvantaged groups, and focus on ensuring equal working conditions and promoting work-life balance. Proposals may cover specialized training for social and healthcare professionals, child guarantee initiatives, holistic approaches to children’s development and medical needs, and capacity building for NGOs and social partners. Projects must comply with environmental sustainability principles and the “Do No Significant Harm” (DNSH) assessment, particularly when involving infrastructure or ecologically sensitive areas. The grant supports initiatives that demonstrate measurable impact, promote innovation and social inclusion, and contribute to the modernization of Malta’s social and employment systems. Applicants are encouraged to design sustainable interventions with clear objectives, partnerships, and scalable outcomes that can enhance quality of life, reduce inequalities, and build resilient, inclusive communities across Malta.