REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006

20.8.2012 - (COM(2011)0607/2 – C7‑0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD)) - ***I

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Rapporteur: Elisabeth Morin-Chartier

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006

(COM(2011)0607/2 – C7‑0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2011)0607/2),

–   having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 164 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C7‑0327/2011),

–   having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–   having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 22 February 2012[1],

–   having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 3 May 2012[2],

–   having regard to Rule 55 of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Budgetary Control, the Committee on Regional Development, the Committee on Culture and Education and the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (A7-0250/2012),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out;

2.   Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on "Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe"[3]; reiterates that sufficient additional resources are needed in the next MFF in order to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; points out that, even with an increase in the level of resources for the next MFF of at least 5 % compared to the 2013 level, only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union's agreed objectives and commitments and the principle of Union solidarity; challenges the Council, if it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value;

3.  Recalls its position, expressed notably in its resolution of 7 June 2011[4] , in favour of continuing the scheme for food distribution to the most deprived people in the Union under the next multiannual financial period; urges the Commission to propose the most appropriate legal base; underlines, however, that the objectives of the ESF and the Programme for deprived persons are not completely identical;

4.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it intends to amend its proposal substantially or replace it with another text;

5.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

Amendment  1 Proposal for a regulation Recital 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(1a) Regulation (EU) No […] on the financial rules applicable to the annual budget of the Union lays down the general principles with regard to the implementation of the annual budget of the Union. It is therefore necessary to ensure consistency between that Regulation and the provisions governing the ESF.
Amendment  2 Proposal for a regulation Recital 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(2) The ESF should improve employment opportunities, promote education and life-long learning and develop active inclusion policies in accordance with the tasks entrusted to the ESF by Article 162 of the Treaty, and thereby contribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the Treaty. In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty, the ESF should take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.	(2) The ESF must provide the support required for policies to promote and improve employment opportunities based on related rights, playing a major role in strengthening social inclusion, fighting poverty, supporting the creation of sustainable and quality jobs, avoiding the support of precarious employment, to promote education and life-long learning and to support active, comprehensive and sustainable inclusion policies, in accordance with the tasks entrusted to the ESF by Article 162 of the Treaty, and. therebycontribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the Treaty. In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty, the ESF should take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection that is accessible to all, the fight against social exclusion and inequality, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.
Amendment  3 Proposal for a regulation Recital 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(3) The European Council of 17 June 2010 called for all common policies, including cohesion policy, to support the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth". In order to ensure the full alignment of the ESF with the objectives of this strategy, particularly as regards employment, education, and the fight against social exclusion, the ESF should support Member States in implementing the Council recommendations on broad guidelines for economic policies of the Member States and the Union and the Council decisions on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States adopted in accordance with Articles 121 and 148(4) of the Treaty. It should also contribute to the implementation of the flagship initiatives, with special regard to the "Agenda for New Skills and Jobs", "Youth on the Move", and the "European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion". It will also support the activities in the "Digital Agenda" and the "Innovation Union" initiatives.	(3) The European Council of 17 June 2010 called for all common policies, including cohesion policy, to support the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth". In order to ensure the full alignment of the ESF with the objectives of this strategy, particularly as regards employment, education, training and the fight against social exclusion, poverty and discrimination the ESF must support Member States in implementing the Council recommendations on broad guidelines for economic policies of the Member States and the Union and the Council decisions on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States adopted in accordance with Articles 121(2) and 148(4) of the Treaty. It should also support the implementation of the flagship initiatives, with special regard to the "Agenda for New Skills and Jobs", "Youth on the Move", and the "European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion". It should also contribute to the activities in the "Digital Agenda" and the "Innovation Union" flagship initiatives as well as to the 'Youth Opportunities Initiative'.
Amendment  4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(4) The European Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants. The ESF should aim to promote employment and support labour mobility, invest in education, skills and life-long learning, promote social inclusion and combat poverty. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should, in particular, support European Employment Services (EURES activities) in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level.	(4) The European Union is confronted with structural and demographic challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills mismatches and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants, minorities and people living in disadvantaged micro-regions. The ESF must aim to promote employment, paying particular attention to those who are the furthest from the labour market, to support voluntary labour mobility and to invest in education, skills and life-long learning, all of which will contribute to greater social inclusion and poverty reduction. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should, in particular, support European Employment Services (EURES activities) and related EURES activities, especially the EURES cross-border partnerships, to complement national employment services, in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level, and pre-professional support and supplement the financial resources provided in the EURES axis of the Programme for Social Change and Innovation.
Amendment  5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(4a) The ESF has the potential to add value, especially in the current economic climate, by focusing on improving employment opportunities and investing in skills. The ESF must not support actions that go beyond its legal basis to other social policy areas, but it is more important to refocus the fund to support growth and job creation, which will, among other benefits, result in greater inclusion and poverty reduction.
Amendment  6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(5) In addition to these priorities, in the less developed regions and Member States, and with a view to increasing economic growth and employment opportunities, the efficiency of public administration should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies should be strengthened.	(5) In addition to the thematic priorities of Article 9 in the Regulation (EU) No (CPR...), in regions and Member States, and with a view to achieving sustainable growth and employment opportunities, the efficiency of public administration at national and regional level, as well as the ability of a public administration to act in a participative matter, should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education, training, socio-cultural and social policies, as well as working in the field of anti-discrimination, should be strengthened, with special emphasis on NGOs.
Amendment  7 Proposal for a regulation Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the development and competitiveness of European small and medium-sized enterprises and to ensure that people can adapt, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, to new challenges such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should support the labour force transition towards greener skills and jobs, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20%, with contributions from different policy fields.	(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the on-going development, competitiveness and pan-European mobility of European micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises, including cultural and creative undertakings, in order to create quality and sustainable jobs and to ensure that people can adapt, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, to changing economic and social conditions as well as new challenges such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should support the labour force transition from education to employment towards sustainable skills and jobs and addressing growing skills shortages, thereby creating employment opportunities, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20 %, with contributions from different policy fields. The ESF should also contribute to cultural and creative skills in order to optimize labour market competitiveness.
Amendment  8 Proposal for a regulation Recital 6 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(6a) Prior to the drafting of partnership contracts and Operational Programmes, the Commission and the Member States should jointly work out guidelines on how the ESF is to deliver on the poverty reduction target through integrated and socially inclusive approaches.
	With the aim of making progress towards the achievement of the poverty reduction target and ensuring a real monitoring of this target, Member States should be required to set the indicators used in the ESF Operational Programmes in line with the ones of the Social OMC. Each year, Member States should report in their National Reform Programmes underpinned by the National Social Reports and the National Roma Strategies the initiatives taken at national level through the ESF to contribute to the delivery on the poverty reduction target.
Amendment  9 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union. The ESF should in particular increase its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited.	(7) The ESF must contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union and support the Member States in implementing the reforms set out in their National Reform Programmes. A minimum share for the ESF for each category of regions is established in accordance with Article 84 (3) of Regulation (EU) No...(CPR...), resulting in a minimum overall share for the ESF of 25 % of the budget allocated to cohesion policy. The ESF must in particular increase its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation of 20 % of the whole ESF resources of each Member State. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support must also be limited.
Amendment  10 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(7a) The ESF should increasingly support gender equality through investment in care services, employment opportunities for women, education and skills upgrading, and the combating of violence against women. The ESF should also redress the multiple discrimination faced by, among others, migrant women, Roma women, women with disabilities, lesbians and older women.
Amendment  11 Proposal for a regulation Recital 8 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(8a) As monitoring and evaluation are vitally important for the ESF, an extended and well-founded set of indicators is needed which clearly show where progress has been achieved and which also demonstrate areas where the use of funds has not contributed to the achievement of the goals and objectives. Evaluation of the achievement of goals and objectives should also take into consideration alternative national reports prepared by NGOs. In this respect, not only data concerning employment and education, but also statistics on the different faces of poverty and social exclusion, such as unequal access to information, goods and services, and the changes in the conditions linked to them are needed. These are necessary at Member State level in order to complement Laeken indicators as an approach for poverty mapping. Furthermore, disaggregated data concerning the situation of the Roma are also necessary.
Amendment  12 Proposal for a regulation Recital 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(9) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF depends on good governance and partnership between all relevant territorial and socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners and non-governmental organisations. It is therefore necessary that Member States encourage the participation of social partners and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of the ESF.	(9) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF depends on good governance and partnership between all relevant territorial and socio-economic actors, taking into account those who act at the regional and local levels, in particular the umbrella associations representing local and regional authorities, organised civil society, economic and social partners by granting them a defined part of allocation which may take the form of a global grant. Member States shall ensure the participation and the activation of social partners and non-governmental organisations in the strategic governance of ESF, from shaping priorities for operational programmes, including programmes whose management is entrusted to an intermediate body, to implementing and evaluating ESF results. Besides that, Member States shall allocate an appropriate level of financial allocations of Technical Assistance under the ESF pursuant to Article 52 of Regulation [...] [CPR] directly to all the partners referred to in Article 5 in Regulation [...] [CPR],in particular to social partners and civil society organisations, in order to facilitate the involvement and participation of these partners in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and operations and to support their capacity building in accordance with the European Code of Conduct on Partnership.
Amendment  13 Proposal for a regulation Recital 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(9a) Taking into consideration the fact that, in order to assure employment and social cohesion, an integrated and holistic approach is needed, the ESF should support cross-sectoral and transnational cooperation and territorial-based partnerships.
Amendment  14 Proposal for a regulation Recital 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(10) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF contribute to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender aspect into account in all dimensions of programmes, while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality.	(10) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF contribute to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender equality objectives aspect into account in all dimensions and in all stages of the planning, preparation, monitoring and implementation of programmes in a timely and consistent manner, while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality and economic independence of women.
Amendment  15 Proposal for a regulation Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(11) In accordance with Article 10 of the Treaty, the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF should contribute to combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The ESF should support the fulfilment of the obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with regard inter alia to education, work and employment and accessibility. The ESF should also promote the transition from institutional to community-based care.	(11) In accordance with Article 10 of the Treaty, the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF should contribute to combating discrimination based on sex, gender identity, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation by paying particular attention to those facing multiple discriminations; and it should also contribute to promoting equal opportunities. The ESF should support the fulfilment of the obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with regard inter alia to education, work and employment and accessibility. The ESF should also promote the implementation of the relevant Union policies and the transition from institutional to community-based care.
Amendment  16 Proposal for a regulation Recital 12
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(12) Support for social innovation is crucial for making policies more responsive to social change and to encourage and support innovative social enterprises. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions before scaling them up is instrumental in improving the efficiency of the policies and thus justifies specific support from the ESF.	(12) Support for social innovation is crucial for making policies more responsive to social change and promote voluntary corporate social responsibility. Particular attention should be paid to the participation of vulnerable groups. The ESF should encourage and support innovative social enterprises and entrepreneurs and projects taken on by non-governmental organisations and other actors within the social economy. Social innovation should provide responses to social current and future needs that are unmet or insufficiently met in terms of combating poverty and social exclusion, promoting a high level of quality employment and decent work, guaranteeing adequate and poverty preventing social protection, and improving working conditions, thereby contributing to social progress. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions before scaling them up is instrumental in improving the efficiency of the policies and thus justifies specific support from the ESF. Further, successful social policy experimentations, financed through the Programme for Social Change and Innovation, should be pursued on a wider scale with financial support from the ESF.
Amendment  17 Proposal for a regulation Recital 13 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(13a) Part of the 20 % of the ESF budget allocated to ‘promoting social inclusion and combating poverty’ shall be used to fund exchanges concerning transnational social inclusion experiments aimed at excluded groups in society. These experiments shall be carried out at regional level as part of initiatives involving public authorities, the social partners and voluntary associations in the regions concerned.
Amendment  18 Proposal for a regulation Recital 13 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(13b) The European Social Fund should promote popular sports.
Amendment  19 Proposal for a regulation Recital 14
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(14) The mobilisation of regional and local stakeholders is necessary to deliver the Europe 2020 Strategy and its headline targets. Territorial pacts, local initiatives for employment and social inclusion, community-led local development strategies and sustainable urban development strategies may be used and supported to involve more actively regional and local authorities, cities, social partners and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of programmes.	(14) The mobilisation of regional and local stakeholders is necessary to deliver the Europe 2020 Strategy and its headline targets. Territorial pacts, local initiatives for employment and social inclusion, sustainable community-led local development strategies and sustainable urban as well as rural development strategies should be used and supported to involve more actively regional and local authorities, cities, social partners and non-governmental organisations in the programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
Amendment  20 Proposal for a regulation Recital 15
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(15) Regulation (EU) No […] provides that rules on eligibility of expenditure are to be established at national level, with certain exceptions for which it is necessary to lay down specific provisions with regard to the ESF.	(15) Regulation (EU) No […] provides that rules on eligibility of expenditure are to be established at national level, with certain exceptions for which it is necessary to lay down specific provisions for each Fund.
Amendment  21 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(16) With a view to simplifying the use of the ESF and reducing the risk of errors, and with regard to the specificities of the operations supported by the ESF, it is appropriate to lay down provisions which complement Articles 57 and 58 of Regulation (EU) No […].	(16) With a view to simplifying the use of the ESF and reducing the risk of errors, and with regard to the specificities of the operations supported by the ESF, it is appropriate to lay down provisions which complement Articles 57 and 58 of Regulation (EU) No […]. Improving implementation and quality of spending should constitute the guiding principles for achieving the objectives of the programme, ensuring optimal use of the financial resources.
Amendment  22 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16a) The use of lump sums and standard scales of unit costs, as provided for in Articles 116 and 116a of the Financial Regulation, should lead to simplification for the beneficiary and should lower the administrative burden for all ESF project partners. Potential residual balances of lump sums should remain with the project partner.
Amendment  23 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16b) It is important to ensure the sound financial management of the programme and its implementation in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while also ensuring legal certainty and the accessibility of the instrument to all participants. Since activities with the ESF are carried out under shared management, Member States should refrain from adding additional rules which complicate the use of funds for the beneficiary.
Amendment  24 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17) The Member States and regions should be encouraged to leverage the ESF through financial instruments in order to support for example students, job creation, mobility of workers, social inclusion and social entrepreneurship.	(17) The Member States and regions should be encouraged to leverage the ESF through financial instruments if this helps to increase the effectiveness of actions or completes actions of other Union instruments such as the PSCI, the EGF and the ERDF.
Amendment  25 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(17a) The ESF shall complement other Union programmes, while acknowledging that each instrument shall work according to its own specific procedures. The same eligible costs shall not receive double funding, and close synergies shall be developed between the ESF, other Union programmes and the Structural Funds, in particular the Programme for Social Change and Innovation.
Amendment  26 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(18) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission for establishing the definition of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums and their maximum amounts according to different types of operations and for defining the specific rules and conditions of policy-based guarantees. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should ensure the simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and the Council.	(18) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of establishing the definition, which should be in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Financial Regulation, of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums and their maximum amounts according to different types of operations and in respect of defining the specific rules and conditions of policy-based guarantees. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, must ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment  27 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(18a) In its resolution of 8 June 2011 "Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe", Parliament considered that "one of the great challenges facing the European Union is that of maintaining its competitiveness, increasing growth, combating high unemployment, focusing on properly functioning labour markets and on social conditions to improve employment performance, promoting decent work and guarantee workers' rights throughout Europe as well as working conditions and reducing poverty";
Amendment  28 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(18b) Given the fundamental role of the ESF in achieving the headline social and employment targets of the Europe 2020 strategy, this Fund should be considered a political priority and financed as such.
Amendment  29 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(18c) Ensuring all citizens’ full participation in society, and investing in human capital is the main lever on which the Union can rely to ensure its international competitiveness and the sustainable recovery of its economy. No other type of investment can produce structural reforms unless it is accompanied by a coherent, growth-oriented human capital development strategy. It is therefore necessary to ensure that the resources intended to improve skills, raise employment levels and guarantee the participation of all in society, stimulate solidarity between generations, allow action to be taken on an adequate scale, using a minimum of 25 % of the funds deployed under the Union’s economic, social and territorial cohesion policy being allocated to the ESF.
Amendment  30 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 d (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(18d) Regional policy is an essential means of fostering economic and social cohesion, as it enables the Union to take measures to reduce regional disparities, promote real convergence, and stimulate development, high-quality employment, and social progress, while also benefiting less developed regions.
Amendment  31 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 e (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(18e) All scientific and empirical evidence indicates that reducing the funds available for policies to support human capital development and social inclusion can only have the effect of further penalising Member States experiencing economic or budgetary difficulties and reducing their chances of recovery in the long term; consequently, under no circumstances must payments under the ESF be suspended in connection with a Member State’s performance in the context of the Union’s economic governance process.
Amendment  32 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 f (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(18f) Not just the Structural and Cohesion Funds, but all Union policies and actions should be consistent with the goal of economic, social, and territorial cohesion. It is therefore necessary to take into account how the enforcement of economic and monetary policies, and of policies to liberalise domestic and international markets, is making itself felt in terms of cohesion and convergence policy, especially as regards micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in the individual Member States.
Amendment  33 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 g (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(18g) The ESF aims to reduce disparities in living conditions in terms of Member States and regions with a view to promoting economic and social cohesion. Funding criteria need to be revised so as to enable the ESF to be used more readily by financially weaker Member States.
Amendment  34 Proposal for a regulation Recital 19 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(19a) The effect of ESF investments on equal opportunities, equal access and integration of the marginalised groups has to be examined and reported concerning all Operative Programmes. The Member States should report ESF-funded initiatives with regard to marginalised Communities and migrants in their National Social Reports annexed to National Reform Programmes. Member States should detail in their National Roma Strategy the contribution of the ESF to the social-economic integration of Roma people and report annually the initiatives taken in this field in the National Social Reports annexed to the National Reform Programmes.
Amendment  35 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – title
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Mission	Missions
Amendment  36 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The ESF shall promote high levels of employment and job quality, support the geographical and occupational mobility of workers, facilitate their adaptation to change, encourage a high level of education and training, promote gender equality, equal opportunities and non-discrimination, enhance social inclusion and combat poverty, thereby contributing to the priorities of the European Union as regards strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion.	1. The ESF shall promote high levels of employment, job creation, adaptation and preservation and job quality, support the voluntary geographical and occupational mobility of workers, encourage a high level of education and training that is available to all age groups, enhance the transition between education and employment for young people, and facilitate workers’ adaptation to change in companies and production systems needed for sustainable development. The ESF shall also contribute to enhancing economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union, to combating poverty and social exclusion, to promoting gender equality and equal opportunities and to fighting against discrimination.
Amendment  37 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. It shall do so by supporting Member States in pursuing the priorities and headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The ESF shall support the design and implementation of policies and actions, taking account of the integrated guidelines for the economic and employment policies of Member States and the Council Recommendations on the National Reform Programmes.	2. It shall do so by supporting Member States in pursuing the priorities and headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and by allowing Member States to address their specific bottlenecks with regard to achieving the Europe 2020 objectives. The ESF shall support the design and implementation of policies and actions in connection with its missions, taking account of the integrated guidelines for the economic and employment policies of Member States and the Council Recommendations on the National Reform Programmes and the strategies, as well as progress reflected in the National Social Reports.
Amendment  38 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The ESF shall benefit people, including disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, migrants, ethnic minorities, marginalised communities and people facing social exclusion. The ESF shall also provide support to enterprises, systems and structures with a view to facilitating their adaptation to new challenges and promoting good governance and the implementation of reforms, in particular in the fields of employment, education and social policies.	3. The ESF shall benefit people, providing support, among others, for individuals and groups systematically excluded from the labour market and from education and training, being at risk of poverty, such as the long-term unemployed, young people who have left school without acquiring any qualifications or young people who have been unemployed longer than four months, children living in poverty, people with disabilities, migrants and asylum-seekers, refugees, minorities, marginalised communities and people of all ages facing social exclusion and poverty. The ESF shall also provide support to workers, enterprises, including actors in the social economy, and entrepreneurs, as well as to systems and structures, with a view to facilitating their adaptation to new challenges, including growing skill mismatches , and promoting good governance, social progress and the implementation of reforms, in particular in the fields of employment, education and social policies and initial and continuing vocational training.
Amendment  39 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1.Under the thematic objectives listed below, and in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No […], the ESF shall support the following investment priorities:	1. Under the thematic objectives in Article 9, points (8), (9), (10), (11) of Regulation (EU) No [CPR...], listed accordingly below in (a), (c), (b) and (d), and in accordance with its mission, the ESF shall support the following investment priorities:
Amendment 40 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a - introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(a) Promoting employment and supporting labour mobility through:	(a) For the thematic objective 'Promoting sustainable and quality employment and supporting voluntary labour mobility' through:
Amendment  41 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point (i)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Access to employment for job-seekers and inactive people, including local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility;	(i) Access to employment for job-seekers and the long-term unemployed, stimulating access to employment for inactive people or people who are far from the labour market, including local employment initiatives and support for voluntary labour mobility;
Amendment  42 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Sustainable integration of young people not in employment, education or training into the labour market;	(ii) Sustainable integration of young people not in employment, education or training, especially from marginalized communities and without qualifications, into the labour market;
Amendment  43 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(iia) Integration of people with disabilities into employment, education or training;
Amendment  44 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) Self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation;	(iii) Self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation through a labour market policy that is close to businesses, small and micro-enterprises, of all kind
Amendment  45 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iv) Equality between men and women and reconciliation between work and private life;	(iv) Reconciliation between work, family and private life and equality between men and women in access to employment, career progression, entrepreneurship and promotion of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value;
Amendment  46 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) Active and healthy ageing;	(vi) Improvement of the quality of employment, working conditions, the working environment and health and safety at work and support for healthy and active ageing;
Amendment  47 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point (vii)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vii)Modernisation and strengthening of labour market institutions, including actions to enhance transnational labour mobility;	(vii) Modernisation and strengthening of labour market institutions, public and private employment services, including actions to enhance transnational labour mobility including networking of relevant stakeholders;
Amendment  48 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b - introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) Investing in education, skills and life-long learning through:	(b) For the thematic objective ‘Investing in education, training and vocational training, skills and life-long learning’ through:
Amendment  49 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Reducing early school-leaving and promoting equal access to good-quality early-childhood, primary and secondary education	(i) Reducing and preventing early school leaving and promoting equal access to good quality inclusive early-childhood development programs, primary and secondary education, and informal and non-formal learning opportunities, allowing them to rejoin education and training pathways;
Amendment 50 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Improving the quality, efficiency and openness of tertiary and equivalent education with a view to increasing participation and attainment levels;	(ii) Improving the quality, efficiency, interconnection and openness of tertiary and equivalent education with a view to increasing participation and attainment levels and promoting equal access for disadvantaged social groups;
Amendment  51 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) Enhancing access to lifelong learning, upgrading the skills and competences of the workforce and increasing the labour market relevance of education and training systems;	(iii) Enhancing non-discriminatory access to lifelong learning, upgrading the skills, formal and informal knowledge, qualifications and competences of the workforce and increasing the labour market relevance of education and training systems for all age groups as well as creating and developing dual learning systems, including apprenticeship ;
Amendment  52 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(iiia) Improving the matchingto the needs of the labour market of education and training systems, youth services, vocational training, the networking of higher education establishments, training and research centres and companies, better transition between education, vocational training and employment, including through the development of tools for anticipating required skills, the reaction capacity of education and training systems and education and career guidance;
Amendment  53 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty through:	(c) For the thematic objective ‘Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty and discrimination’ through:
Amendment  54 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point (i)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Active inclusion;	(i) Active inclusion of all persons;
Amendment  55 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(ia) Combating poverty of persons at risk, regardless of their age, with a focus on prevention and early identification;
Amendment  56 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(ib) Promoting children rights and well-being, so as to protect children at risk and combat child poverty;
Amendment  57 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(ic) Promoting active ageing without poverty, with particular regard to women;
Amendment  58 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Integration of marginalised communities such as the Roma;	(ii) Comprehensive socio-economic integration of marginalised communities such as the Roma;
Amendment 59 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) Combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;	(iii) Combating all forms of discrimination and promoting the rights of people suffering discrimination based on sex, gender identity, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation and ensuring equal opportunities;
Amendment  60 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iv
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iv) Enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high-quality services, including health care and social services of general interest;	(iv) Enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high-quality public services including community-based services, including health care, early childhood education and social services of general interest;
Amendment  61 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point v
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(v) Promoting the social economy and social enterprises;	(v) Promoting social entrepreneurship and vocational integration in social enterprises and the social and solidarity economy in order to facilitate access to employment and quality services for all;
Amendment  62 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) Community-led local development strategies;	(vi) Inclusive community-led local development strategies;
Amendment  63 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vi a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(via) Promoting creativity and innovation by supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in leading sectors, including the cultural and creative sectors, and certain non-governmental and cooperative organisations;
Amendment  64 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(d) Enhancing institutional capacity and efficient public administration through:	(d) For the thematic objective ‘Enhancing institutional capacity and efficient public administration and promoting capacity building for stakeholders' through:
Amendment  65 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Investment in institutional capacity and in the efficiency of public administrations and public services with a view to reforms, better regulation and good governance;	(i) Investment in institutional capacity and in the efficiency of public administrations and public services at national, regional and local level with a view to reforms, better regulation and good governance.
This investment priority is only applicable throughout the territory of the Member States which have at least one NUTS level 2 region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support.	This investment priority is only applicable in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support or, in other Member States, to actions which, while they may take place throughout the territory of the Member State concerned, contribute to strengthening institutional capacities and the efficiency of administrations and public services eligible in one or more of its NUTS level 2 regions as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […].
Amendment  66 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Capacity building for stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies and sectoral and territorial pacts to mobilise for reform at national, regional and local level.	(ii) Capacity building for stakeholders, including social partners and non-governmental organisations delivering education, lifelong learning, training and employment and social policies, including by means of sectoral, national and territorial pacts to mobilise for reform at national, regional and local level;
Amendment  67 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(a) Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient, resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable economy, through reform of education and training systems, adaptation of skills and qualifications, up-skilling of the labour force, and the creation of new jobs in sectors related to the environment and energy;	(a) Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient, resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable economy, through the improvement of education and training systems necessary for the adaptation of behaviour, skills and qualifications, up-skilling of the labour force, and the creation of new jobs in sectors related to the environment and energy;
Amendment  68 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) Enhancing the accessibility, use and quality of information and communication technologies, through the development of digital literacy, investment in e-inclusion, e-skills and related entrepreneurial skills;	(b) Enhancing the accessibility, use and quality of information and communication technologies, through the development of digital literacy, investment in e-inclusion, e-skills and related entrepreneurial skills, including in applications intended to promote, and to make better use of, tangible and intangible cultural heritage and cultural tourism;
Amendment  69 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) Strengthening research, technological development and innovation, through the development of post-graduate studies, the training of researchers, networking activities and partnerships between higher education institutions, research and technological centres and enterprises;	(c) Strengthening research, technological development and innovation including innovatory networks in the socio-cultural and creative sector, through the development of post-graduate studies and business skills, the training of researchers, networking activities and partnerships between higher education institutions, research and technological centres and enterprises;
Amendment  70 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(d) Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, through promoting the adaptability of enterprises and workers and increased investment in human capital.	(d) Enhancing the competitiveness and long-term development of small and medium-sized enterprises, through promoting the adaptability of enterprises, senior managers and workers and increased investment in human capital and support for bodies providing practical vocational training including training for young people and learning schemes.
Amendment  71 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall ensure that the strategy and actions set out in the Operational Programmes are consistent and focused on addressing the challenges identified in the National Reform Programmes and the relevant Council Recommendations made under Article 148(4) of the Treaty, in order to contribute to achieving the headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy on employment, education and poverty reduction.	1. Member States shall ensure that the strategy and actions set out in the Operational Programmes are consistent and respond to the challenges identified in their national strategies that aim to fight unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, such as their National Reform Programmes, National Social Reports, National Roma Strategies, National Employment Strategies, National Disability Strategies and the relevant Council Recommendations made under Article 148(4) of the Treaty, in order to contribute to achieving the headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy on employment, education and poverty reduction.
Amendment  72 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(a) For more developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 80 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).	(a) For more developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 80 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1) or, in response to specific needs, on up to six thereof provided that investment priorities are identified after consulting the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No[...];
Amendment  73 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) For transition regions, Member States shall concentrate 70 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).	(b) For transition regions, Member States shall concentrate 70 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1) or, in response to specific needs, on up to six thereof, provided that investment priorities are identified after consulting the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No[...];
Amendment  74 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) For less developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 60 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).	(c) For less developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 60 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1) or, in response to specific needs, on up to six thereof, provided that investment priorities are identified after consulting the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No[...];
Amendment  75 Proposal for a regulation Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Common indicators as set out in the Annex to this Regulation and programme specific indicators shall be used in accordance with Article 24(3) and 87(2)(b)(ii) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All indicators shall be expressed in absolute numbers.	Common indicators as set out in the Annex to this Regulation and quantitative and qualitative indicators established in the context of the various operational programmes shall be used in accordance with Article 24(3) and 87(2)(b)(ii) of Regulation (EU) No [...]. All indicators shall be expressed in absolute numbers and, whenever applicable, data shall be broken down by gender.
Amendment  76 Proposal for a regulation Article 5 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. At the same time as the annual implementation reports, the managing authority shall transmit electronically structured data for each investment priority. The data shall cover the categorisation and the output and result indicators.	2. At the same time as the annual implementation reports, the managing authority shall transmit electronically structured data for each investment priority. The data shall cover the intervention categories and the output and result indicators.
Amendment  77 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The involvement of the social partners and other stakeholders, in particular non-governmental organisations, in the implementation of operational programmes, as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No […], may take the form of global grants as defined in Article 113(7) of Regulation (EU) No […]. In such a case, the operational programme shall identify the part of the programme concerned by the global grant, including an indicative financial allocation from each priority axis to it.	1. The participation of the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No […], local and regional authorities and their umbrella associations, all relevant stakeholders including social partners and in particular non-governmental organisations, in the implementation of the operational programmes may take the form of global grants as defined in Article 113(7) of Regulation (EU) No […].In such a case, the operational programme shall identify the part of the programme concerned by the global grant, including an indicative financial allocation from each priority axis to it.
Amendment  78 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. To encourage adequate participation of the social partners in actions supported by the ESF, managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building activities, in the form of training, networking measures, and strengthening of the social dialogue, and to activities jointly undertaken by the social partners.	2. To encourage adequate participation of the social partners in actions supported by the ESF, managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that 2 % of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building activities, in the form of training, networking measures, and strengthening of the social dialogue, and to activities jointly undertaken by the social partners.
Amendment  79 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. To encourage adequate participation of and access by non-governmental organisations to actions supported by the ESF, notably in the fields of social inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building for non-governmental organisations.	3. To encourage adequate participation of and access by non-governmental organisations to actions supported by the ESF, particularly for those non-governmental organisations that represent or advocate for beneficiaries of such programmes, notably in the fields of social inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) and (b) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building for non-governmental organisations.
Amendment  80 Proposal for a regulation Article 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women through mainstreaming as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […] and specific targeted actions as referred to in Article 3(1)(a)(iv), in particular with the aim of increasing the sustainable participation and progress of women in employment, reducing gender-based segregation in the labour market, combating gender stereotypes in education and training and promoting reconciliation of work and personal life for men and women.	The Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women through mainstreaming throughout the preparation and implementation of the programmes, as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […]. The ESF shall also support specific targeted actions as referred to in Article,3, and, in particular, in Article 3(1)(a)(iv), with the aim of increasing the sustainable participation and progress of women in employment, reducing gender-based segregation in the labour market, combating gender stereotypes in education and training, combating gender-specific stereotypes of occupational profiles and professions, addressing the feminisation of poverty, promoting reconciliation of work and personal life for all and equal sharing of care responsibilities between women and men.
	Member States shall ensure that gender equality is promoted at all stages of the operational programmes by means of gender budgeting assessments.
Amendment  81 Proposal for a regulation Article 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Member States and the Commission shall promote equal opportunities for all, including accessibility for disabled persons through mainstreaming the principle of non-discrimination, as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […], and through specific actions within the investment priorities as defined in Article 3, and in particular Article 3(1)(c)(iii). Such actions shall target people at risk of discrimination and people with disabilities, with a view to increasing their labour market participation, enhancing their social inclusion, reducing inequalities in terms of educational attainment and health status and facilitating the transition from institutional to community-based care.	The Member States and the Commission shall promote accessibility and equal opportunities for all, without discrimination based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or convictions, disability, age or sexual orientation, through mainstreaming such principles as referred to in Articles 7 of Regulation (EU) No […]. In addition, the ESF shall support specific actions within the investment priorities as defined in Article 3, and in particular Article 3(1)(c)(iii), that aim to fight against discrimination and to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, with a view to reducing inequalities in terms of educational attainment, increasing the labour market participation of people at risk of discrimination and enhancing their social inclusion, including by facilitating the transition from institutional to community-based care and , paying particular attention to those who face multiple discrimination.
	The ESF mustl not support any actions that strengthen social inequalities or favour segregation.
Amendment  82 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The ESF shall promote social innovation within all areas falling under the scope of the ESF, as defined in Article 3 of this Regulation, in particular with the aim of testing and scaling up innovative solutions to address social needs.	1. The ESF shall promote social innovation within all areas falling under the scope of the ESF, as defined in Article 3 of this Regulation, in particular with the aim of testing at local or regional level, evaluating and scaling up innovative solutions to address social needs, with the involvement of all the actors concerned and, in particular, in liaison with the social partners.
Amendment  83 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Member States shall identify themes for social innovation, corresponding to their specific needs in their operational programmes.	2. Member States shall identify areas and themes for social innovation corresponding to their specific needs in their operational programmes.
Amendment  84 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The Commission shall facilitate capacity building for social innovation, in particular through supporting mutual learning, establishing networks, and disseminating good practices and methodologies.	3. The Commission shall facilitate capacity building for social innovation, in particular through supporting mutual learning, establishing networks, disseminating and promoting good practices and methodologies, including as regards common criteria for the award of social labels to enterprises on a voluntary basis.
Amendment  85 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall support transnational cooperation with the aim of promoting mutual learning and thereby increasing the effectiveness of policies supported by the ESF. Transnational cooperation shall involve partners from at least two Member States.	1. Member States shall support transnational cooperation with the aim of promoting mutual learning and thereby increasing the effectiveness of policies supported by the ESF. Transnational cooperation shall involve partners, which may include local and urban authorities, from at least two Member States.
Amendment  86 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Member States may select themes for transnational co-operation from a list proposed by the Commission and endorsed by the ESF Committee.	2. In order to identify areas and forms of transnational cooperation corresponding to their specific needs , Member States shall consult the partners referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No [...] and may select themes from a list proposed by the Commission and endorsed by the ESF Committee provided for in Article 163(2) of the Treaty.
Amendment  87 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The Commission shall facilitate transnational cooperation on the themes referred to in paragraph 2 through mutual learning and coordinated or joint action. In particular, the Commission shall operate an EU-level platform to facilitate the exchange of experience, capacity building and networking, as well as dissemination of the relevant outcomes. In addition, the Commission shall develop a coordinated implementation framework, including common eligibility criteria, types and timing of actions, and common methodological approaches for monitoring and evaluation, with a view to facilitating transnational cooperation.	3. The Commission shall facilitate transnational cooperation through mutual learning and coordinated or joint action. In particular, the Commission shall operate an EU-level platform to facilitate the construction of transnational partnerships, the exchange of experience, capacity building and networking and the capitalisation on and the dissemination of the relevant outcomes. In addition, the Commission shall develop a coordinated implementation framework, including common eligibility criteria, types and timing of actions, and common methodological approaches for monitoring and evaluation, with a view to facilitating transnational cooperation.
Amendment  88 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. By way of derogation from Article 110(3) of Regulation (EU) No […], the maximum co-financing rate for a priority axis shall be increased by ten percentage points, but not exceeding 100%, where the whole of a priority axis is dedicated to social innovation or to transnational cooperation, or a combination of both.	2. By way of derogation from Article 110(3) of Regulation (EU) No […], the maximum co-financing rate for a priority axis shall be increased by ten percentage points, but not exceeding 100 %, where the whole of a priority axis is dedicated to social innovation or to transnational cooperation, or a combination of both or refer to Article 6(1), or where parts of programmes are managed by non-governmental organisations or social partners.
Amendment  89 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 – paragraph 3 – point b
	Does not affect English version
Amendment  90 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The ESF may support community-led local development strategies, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No […], territorial pacts and local initiatives for employment, education and social inclusion, as well as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) as referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No […].	1. The ESF should support community-led local development strategies, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No […], territorial pacts and local initiatives for employment, including youth employment, education and social inclusion, as well as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) as referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No […].
Amendment   91 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Complementing ERDF interventions as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [ERDF], the ESF may support sustainable urban development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental and social challenges affecting urban areas of cities which are listed in the partnership contract.	2. Complementing ERDF interventions as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [ERDF], the ESF may support sustainable urban and rural development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental and social challenges affecting urban areas of cities and rural areas which are listed in the partnership contract. To ensure complementarity with the ERDF and to facilitate access to Structural Funds for small NGOs, the ESF may be used as lead fund for integrated social inclusion projects combining social infrastructures and accompanying services in deprived areas.
Amendment  92 Proposal for a regulation Article 14 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
For this purpose the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 concerning the type of operations covered, the definitions of the standard scales of unit costs and lump sums and their maximum amounts, which may be adjusted according to the applicable commonly agreed methods.	For this purpose the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 concerning the type of operations covered, the definitions of the standard scales of unit costs and lump sums and their maximum amounts, which may be adjusted according to the applicable commonly agreed methods, taking due account of experience gained during the previous programming period.
Amendment  93 Proposal for a regulation Article 14 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. Grants reimbursed on the basis of the eligible cost of operations, determined in the way of flat-rate financing, standard scales of unit costs and lump sums as referred to in Article 57(1) of Regulation (EU) No […] may be calculated on a case-by-case basis by reference to a draft budget agreed ex ante by the Managing Authority, where the public support does not exceed EUR 100 000.	3. Grants reimbursed on the basis of the eligible cost of operations, determined in the way of flat-rate financing, standard scales of unit costs and lump sums as referred to in Article 57(1) of Regulation (EU) No […] may be calculated on a case-by-case basis by reference to a draft budget agreed ex ante by the Managing Authority, where the amount co-financed by the Union does not exceed EUR 100 000.
Amendment  94 Article 14 – paragraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4. Grants for which the public support does not exceed EUR 50 000 shall take the form of lump sums or standard scales of unit costs in accordance with paragraph 1 or Article 57 of Regulation (EU) No […], except for operations receiving support within the framework of a state aid scheme.	4. Grants for which the amount co-financed by the Union does not exceed EUR 50 000 shall take the form of lump sums or standard scales of unit costs in accordance with paragraph 1 or Article 57 of Regulation (EU) No […], except for operations receiving support within the framework of a state aid scheme.
Amendment  95 Proposal for a regulation Article 15 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No […], the ESF may support actions and policies falling within its scope through financial instruments, such as risk-sharing schemes, equity and debt, guarantee funds, holding funds, and loan funds.	1. Pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No […], the ESF may support actions and policies falling within its scope through financial instruments.
Amendment  96 Proposal for a regulation Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 to define the specific rules and conditions for the applications of Member States, including ceilings, for policy-based guarantees, ensuring in particular that their use does not lead to excessive levels of debt of public bodies.	The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16, defining the specific rules and conditions for the applications of Member States, including ceilings, for policy-based guarantees, ensuring in particular that their use does not lead to excessive levels of debt of public bodies. Those delegated acts shall comply with the principles laid down in Regulation (EU) No [...] on the financial rules applicable to the annual budget of the Union.
Amendment  97 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· persons below 25 years of age, who are either in a job, education or (re-)training within four months after leaving school
Amendment  98 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· persons above 54 years of age suffering from severe material deprivation
Amendment  99 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
· migrants, people with a foreign background, minorities (including marginalised communities such as the Roma)**	· migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, people with a foreign background, minorities (including marginalised communities such as the Roma)**
Amendment  100 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· people or persons from the most disadvantaged microregions, at risk of poverty (median income) or suffering from severe material deprivation
Amendment  101 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· homeless people
Amendment  102 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· from rural areas
Amendment  103 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1– point 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Common indicators concerning the administration of ESF funds in the Member States:
	· number of staff committed to managing, granting and controlling ESF-Funds in the respective Member States
	All data are to be broken down by the corresponding NUTS levels.
Amendment  104 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 1 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.
Amendment  105 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 2 – point 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
· number of projects fully or partially implemented by social partners or non-governmental organisations	· number of projects fully or partially implemented by social partners or non-governmental organisations or other stakeholders
Amendment  106 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 2 – point 1a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· number of projects that increase the sustainable participation and advancement of women in employment
Amendment  107 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 2 – point 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
· number of projects targeting public administrations or public services	· number of projects targeting public administrations or public services at national, regional and local level
Amendment  108 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 2 – point 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
· number of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises supported	· number of supported micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperative enterprises, enterprises of the social economy which are under female leadership or having a majority of women in the executive or supervisory board
Amendment  109 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 2 – point 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· number of projects in poorest districts
Amendment  110 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 2 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […].	These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article101(1) of Regulation (EU) No [...]. All data without specific gender relevance shall also be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.
Amendment  111 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 a(new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· percentage of participants and service users from disadvantaged groups of people in education, training , gaining qualifications, in employment or in voluntary work upon leaving
Amendment  112 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 b(new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· participants lifted above the relative poverty line and out of severe material deprivation
Amendment  113 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· women remaining in a precarious jobs situation
Amendment  114 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 d (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· percentage of disabled participants in employment, after receiving support
Amendment  115 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 3 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.
Amendment  116 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 4 – point 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· statistics indicating a reduction in gender-based segregation in the labour market
Amendment  117 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 b(new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· participants, one year after leaving, in an improved labour market situation, in part-time, full-time employment or in self-employment
Amendment  118 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· participants, 1 year after leaving, lifted above and living above the relative poverty line or lifted out of severe material deprivation
Amendment  119 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 4 – point 3 d (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· statistics indicating that gender stereotypes in education and training are being successfully combated
Amendment  120 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 e (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· participants who became independent from benefits
Amendment   121 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 f (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· women, one year after leaving, who remain in precarious job situations or being economically independent
Amendment  122 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 g (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· percentage of persons above 54 years of age suffering from severe material deprivation
Amendment  123 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 h (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· percentage of disabled participants in employment after one year receiving support
Amendment  124 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 4 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]. They are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each priority axis. Internal validity of the sample should be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of priority axis. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]. They are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each priority axis. Internal validity of the sample should be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of priority axis. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.

• [1]  OJ C ... /Not yet published in the Official Journal.
• [2]  OJ C ... /Not yet published in the Official Journal.
• [3]  Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.
• [4]  Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0338.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. The Commission proposal concerning the European Social Fund (ESF) for 2014-2020 contains some important advances which deserve to be supported by Parliament in order to effectively help European people adapt to changes in the jobs market through cofinancing of training projects and employment aid programmes:

· allocation of funds in line with the priorities of the Europe 2020 strategy,

· thematic concentration and allocation of 20% of the funding under the Fund in each Member State to social inclusion and combating poverty,

·  better acknowledgement of the role of the social partners and non-governmental organisations, and

· simplification of procedures.

The European Social Fund, the EU’s principal instrument for employment promotion, was set up in 1957 under the Treaty of Rome. Since it was created it has focused on supporting the geographical and occupational mobility of workers. In this period of crisis social cohesion is of the utmost importance, with ESF investment being concentrated on:

1.  social integration through employment,

2.  raising the level of qualification,

3.  raising the level of employment.

To achieve this social cohesion, the four main thematic objectives of the Commission proposal on the ESF will have to be applied for the 2014-2020 period: ‘promoting employment and labour mobility’, ‘investing in education, skills and life-long learning’, ‘promoting social inclusion and combating poverty’ and ‘enhancing institutional capacity and efficient public administration’.

Support for young people is essential at a time when 21% of them are without employment in the European Union and many other young people have left training systems without any qualifications. This is why the ESF is the instrument for social integration through employment, with an integrated approach supporting personalised or global pathways towards an objective of maximum, high-quality employment. Furthermore, social inclusion of unemployed people must be supported by ensuring access to adequate resources and services for all.

In addition, the ESF must be used as an instrument to help anticipate future skills needs in order to substantially increase the number of highly-skilled workers, which, according to recent forecasts Europe will need in the near future.

Clearer recognition of the specific role of the partners at all levels is essential to ensuring that projects function smoothly. With the mobilisation of all stakeholders and the involvement of all the social partners in the management and use of the ESF at European, national and regional or local level, the ESF will remain the indispensable Fund for employment and professional integration of Europeans.

The simplification of rules and procedures and a result-oriented approach are the right way to enhance the impact of ESF-financed operations. Elements which aim to simplify the administrative procedures include the use of lump sums and unit costs in order to effectively eliminate one of the main obstacles to companies’ accessing the Funds, and consequently to increase the absorption of the available resources. In particular, ESF application files for projects where the public support is less than EUR 50 000 need to be simplified. Efficient use of ESF funds can substantially improve the impact of recovery policies and support the creation of new jobs in the European Union.

All these objectives will have to be subject to impact measurements several times during the programming period in order to ensure that resources are being used appropriately and that the policies being implemented are effective.

2. The ESF, overall framework of the cohesion policy

Strong support from the minimum overall share for the ESF of 25% of the budget of the structural and cohesion funds is necessary. The Member States will remain the principal intermediaries for all ESF policies given the importance of national employment policies; with due respect for the Member States’ autonomy, they are free to organise the implementation of the programmes in accordance with their own organisation.

First of all, an effort must be made to improve the governance of the ESF by maintaining centralised coordination while taking better account of the real needs on the ground

Rationalisation of controls seems to be an absolute necessity for simplifying the life of the ESF’s local actors. Controls need to be harmonised, with the practice of ‘over-control’ being banned and certain unnecessary controls being eliminated. As a way of reducing controls, ‘contracts of confidence’ concluded between each Member State and the Commission would make it possible to cut back the regulatory constraints burdening the Member States. All Member States must set themselves the goal of reducing payment delays by introducing the practice of phased payments.

The ESF’s local actors must be supported by increasing the appropriations for technical assistance and training from the management services of the European Social Fund.

In order to increase the utilisation rate of the ESF the conditions must be created for improved utilisation:

· by encouraging each Member State to refocus the funding priorities in order to increase the effectiveness of the ESF;

· by creating an ESF cheque (lump sum) for micro-projects in specific areas, the results of which are easily achieved and measurable;

· by increasing communication and the exchange of information with project promoters;

· by ensuring enhanced synergy between the ESF and the ERDF, as provided for in the General Regulation on the Cohesion Funds.

The European Social Fund supports projects benefitting the most vulnerable people. There would be serious concerns if the provisions on macroeconomic conditionality introduced in the Commission’s draft regulation on common provisions on the funds were also to apply to the ESF. The vulnerable populations in countries already in difficulty must not be punished twice.

OPINION of the Committee on Budgets (25.6.2012)

for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) N° 1081/2006
(COM(2011)0607 – C7‑0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD))

Rapporteur: Jens Geier

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

About 23 million people are unemployed in Europe and 30 millions are under threat of social exclusion. Therefore, as stated in the European Parliament's resolution of 8 June 2011, the European Social Funds (ESF) must play a fundamental role in meeting the Europe 2020 strategy's social and employment objectives and it should be treated as a political priority and funded accordingly.

The financial envelope for the ESF for 2014-2020 is not mentioned in the ESF proposed regulation but in the proposed regulation laying down common provisions for all funds.[1] Article 84(3) of the latter foresees that "at least 25 % of the Structural Funds resources for less developed regions, 40% for transition regions and 52% for more developed regions in each Member State shall be allocated to the ESF." As a whole, if these thresholds are not decreased, this would equal at least to 84 billion EUR (in 2011 constant prices) and represents a minimum overall share for ESF of 25% of structural and cohesion funds altogether (according to calculation mentioned in the Commission's Communication "A Budget for 2020").[2] By comparison, the allocations for the ESF in the 2007 - 2013 MFF were 78 million EUR in 2011 prices, i.e. 22% of the cohesion and structural funds available. Therefore, the Commission's proposal for the ESF, if agreed upon, represents an increase in relative terms compared to the total envelope available for cohesion and structural funds. One should however bear in mind that, in the EC's proposals, the total envelope for cohesion and structural funds would be frozen in nominal terms at the level of the 2013 ceiling. Your Rapporteur warmly welcomes this minimum share and considers that it must absolutely be preserved, all the more that it is an innovation compared to the current MFF. Your Rapporteur also recalls the conviction expressed by the European Parliament in its above mentioned resolution that "at least a 5% increase of resources is needed for the next MFF" compared to the 2013 level, that "the amounts allocated to cohesion policy in the current financial programming period should be at least maintained in the next period" and that the ESF must be funded as a political priority.

In article 84(3) and 84(5) of the draft Common provision Regulation, the Commission also proposes to allocate EUR 2.5 billion for the scheme for food distribution to the most deprived people. This funding would be deducted from each Member State's ESF national envelope. However, in the absence of an autonomous and proper legal basis setting out specifically how the programme would operate and bearing in mind the latest Commission's declarations, the future of this programme remains ambiguous.

In the ESF regulation as such, the Commission proposes to earmark 20% of ESF financing for social inclusion, focusing on measures to fight youth unemployment and mainstreaming specific support for gender equality and non-discrimination. Member States shall concentrate 80% of the allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the ESF thematic objectives for more developed regions, 70% for transition regions and 60% for less developed regions. The implementation of this thematic concentration will be at the core of the negotiation of the Common Strategic Framework and of the partnership contracts to be negotiated with Member States.

Concerning other provisions with budgetary implications, your Rapporteur welcomes the Commission's simplification efforts, in particular the simplified financial options through the use of lump sums and standard scale of unit costs. Your Rapporteur further stresses the responsibility of the Member States in these simplification efforts.

Sound financial management and transparency are also a key. Therefore, your Rapporteur proposes to include more references to the provisions of the financial regulation currently under discussion and calls for more transparent and objective output and result indicators.

Your Rapporteur also insists both on the need to improve coordination and synergies between the ESF and other programmes in particular the proposed Programme for Social Change and Innovation, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, the proposed "Erasmus for all programme". Precise objectives are needed to clarify which programme is funded by which instrument. In particular, your Rapporteur proposes to better define the ESF objective of "active inclusion" and to clarify the relationship between the ESF and the Programme for Social Change and Innovation. Actually, these two instruments are both to be used to support so-called "social innovation" and the European Employment Services (EURES), but under different managements rules and therefore at different levels. While EURES would be funded primarily under the Programme for Social Change and Innovation, the Commission proposes to support EURES activities in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level. "Social innovation" projects could be funded directly by the European Commission under the PROGRESS axis of the Programme for Social Change and Innovation and later developed more widely under the ESF with Member States' co-financing. The ESF could also directly promote "social innovation" within its remits. Similarly, life-long-learning infrastructures are to be funded under the ESF while life-long-learning activities are to be funded by the proposed multiannual programme "Erasmus for all".

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Budgets calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment  1 Draft legislative resolution Paragraph 1 a (new)
Draft legislative resolution	Amendment
	1a. Recalls its resolution of 8 June 2011 on "Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe"1; reiterates that sufficient additional resources are needed in the next MFF in order to enable the Union to fulfil its existing policy priorities and the new tasks provided for in the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as to respond to unforeseen events; points out that even with an increase in the level of resources for the next MFF of at least 5 % compared to the 2013 level only a limited contribution can be made to the achievement of the Union's agreed objectives and commitments and the principle of Union solidarity; challenges the Council, if it does not share this approach, to clearly identify which of its political priorities or projects could be dropped altogether, despite their proven European added value;
	_______________
	1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0266.
Amendment  2 Draft legislative resolution Paragraph 1 b (new)
Draft legislative resolution	Amendment
	1b. Recalls its position, expressed notably in its resolution of 7 June 20111 , in favour of continuing the scheme for food distribution to the most deprived people in the Union under the next multiannual financial period; urges the Commission to propose the most appropriate legal base; underlines, however, that the objectives of the ESF and the Programme for deprived persons are not completely identical;
	_______________
	1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0338.
Amendment  3 Proposal for a regulation Recital 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(2) The ESF should improve employment opportunities, promote education and life-long learning and develop active inclusion policies in accordance with the tasks entrusted to the ESF by Article 162 of the Treaty, and thereby contribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the Treaty. In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty, the ESF should take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.	(2) The ESF should improve employment opportunities, support the creation of sustainable jobs, promote education and life-long learning, develop active inclusion policies and fight poverty and social exclusion in accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty and with the tasks entrusted to the ESF by Article 162 of the Treaty, and thereby contribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the Treaty. In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty, the ESF should take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against poverty and social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.
Amendment  4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(3a) In its resolution of 8 June 2011 "Investing in the future: a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for a competitive, sustainable and inclusive Europe", the European Parliament considered that "one of the great challenges facing the European Union is that of maintaining its competitiveness, increasing growth, combating high unemployment, focusing on properly functioning labour markets and on social conditions to improve employment performance, promoting decent work and guarantee workers' rights throughout Europe as well as working conditions and reducing poverty";
Amendment  5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 3 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(3b) In the same resolution, the European Parliament underlined "the European Social Funds' (ESF) fundamental role in meeting the Europe 2020 strategy's social and employment objectives", stating that it believed "that the ESF should be treated as a political priority and funded accordingly" and advocated "a more strategic application of the ESF for promoting equality between women and men, labour market access and re-integration, combating unemployment, poverty, social exclusion and all forms of discrimination."
Amendment  6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 3 c (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(3c) During the 2007-2013 Multiannual Financial Framework, the European Social Fund was allocated EUR 78 billion (in 2011 prices). In its Communication "A Budget for Europe 20201, the Commission proposes, for the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, a minimum overall share for the ESF of 25 % of the total budget allocated to cohesion and structural funds (i.e. at least EUR 84 billion in 2011 prices). Many labour market instruments depend on the European Social Fund for their existence. If Member States continue their call for further savings in the general budget of the European Union, labour market instruments in the entire Union will decrease, thereby making it impossible for unemployment rates to be lowered.
	______________
	1 COM(2011)0500 final
Amendment  7 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(4) The European Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants. The ESF should aim to promote employment and support labour mobility, invest in education, skills and life-long learning, promote social inclusion and combat poverty. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should, in particular, support European Employment Services (EURES activities) in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level.	(4) The European Union is confronted with structural and demographic challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants. The ESF should aim to promote and create employment and support labour mobility, invest in education, skills and life-long learning, promote social inclusion and combat poverty. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should support European Employment Services (EURES activities) in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level. The European Commission should systematically monitor EURES activities and publish the results.
Amendment  8 Proposal for a regulation Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the development and competitiveness of European small and medium-sized enterprises and to ensure that people can adapt, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, to new challenges such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should support the labour force transition towards greener skills and jobs, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20%, with contributions from different policy fields.	(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the development and competitiveness of European small and medium-sized enterprises and to ensure that people can adapt, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, to changing economic and social conditions as well as to new challenges such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should support the labour force transition towards greener skills and jobs, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20%, with contributions from different policy fields.
Amendment  9 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union. The ESF should in particular increase its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited.	(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union and support Member States in their implementation of their National Reform programmes. The ESF should in particular increase its active support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited.
Amendment  10 Proposal for a regulation Recital 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(8) In order to ensure closer monitoring and improved assessment of the results achieved at European level by actions supported by the ESF, a common set of output and result indicators should be established.	(8) In order to ensure closer monitoring and improved assessment of the results achieved at European level by actions supported by the ESF, a common set of transparent and objective output and result indicators should be established.
Amendment  11 Proposal for a regulation Recital 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(9a) Taking into consideration the fact that, in order to ensure employment and social cohesion, an integrated and holistic approach is needed; the ESF should support the creation of cross-sectoral, territorial-based partnerships and their programmes.
Amendment  12 Proposal for a regulation Recital 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(10) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF contribute to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender aspect into account in all dimensions of programmes, while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality.	(10) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF contribute to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender aspect into account in all dimensions of programmes including their preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in a timely and consistent manner, while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality.
Amendment  13 Proposal for a regulation Recital 12 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(12a) Taking into account that the scope of this programme partially overlaps with that of the Programme for Social Change and Innovation, measures should be put in place that seek to avoid double-financing of the same activities and initiatives. In addition, because the activities carried out with the ESF under shared management partially overlap with those of the Programme for Social Change and Innovation, which is under direct management, measures should be put in place that do not duplicate or double-finance activities under different management modes.
Amendment  14 Proposal for a regulation Recital 12 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(12a) Synergies between the European Social Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund should be exploited. In addition, the European Social Fund, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund and the multiannual Programme for Social Change and Innovation should be coherently structured in order to increase their respective effectiveness, improve their coordination and avoid financing duplications.
Amendment  15 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(16) With a view to simplifying the use of the ESF and reducing the risk of errors, and with regard to the specificities of the operations supported by the ESF, it is appropriate to lay down provisions which complement Articles 57 and 58 of Regulation (EU) No […].	(16) With a view to simplifying the use of the ESF and reducing the risk of errors, and with regard to the specificities of the operations supported by the ESF, it is appropriate to lay down provisions which complement Articles 57 and 58 of Regulation (EU) No […]. Improving implementation and quality of spending should constitute guiding principles for achieving the objectives of the programme, ensuring optimal use of the financial resources;
Amendment  16 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16a) It is important to ensure sound financial management of the programme and its implementation in the most effective and user-friendly manner possible, while also ensuring legal certainty and the accessibility of the instrument to all participants. Since activities with the ESF are carried out under shared management, Member States should refrain from adding additional rules, which complicate the usage of funds for the beneficiary.
Amendment  17 Proposal for a regulation Recital 16 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(16b) The use of lump sums and standard scale of unit costs, as provided for in Article 116 and 116a of the Financial Regulation, should lead to simplification for the beneficiary and should lower the administrative burden for all ESF project partners. Potential residual balances of lump sums remain with the project partner.
Amendment  18 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17) The Member States and regions should be encouraged to leverage the ESF through financial instruments in order to support for example students, job creation, mobility of workers, social inclusion and social entrepreneurship.	(17) The Member States and regions should be encouraged to leverage the ESF through financial instruments in order to support employability, especially among young persons, job creation, mobility of workers, social inclusion and social entrepreneurship.
Amendment  19 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(18) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission for establishing the definition of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums and their maximum amounts according to different types of operations and for defining the specific rules and conditions of policy-based guarantees. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should ensure the simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and the Council.	(18) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission for establishing the definition in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Financial Regulation of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums and their maximum amounts according to different types of operations and for defining the specific rules and conditions of policy-based guarantees. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, should ensure the simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and the Council.
Amendment  20 Proposal for a regulation Recital 18 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(18a) The ESF should add real value to Member States' policies, and its distribution should therefore not be automatically linked to the macroeconomic performance of a Member State.
Justification
Imposing additional penalties could exacerbate problems for countries already facing macroeconomic troubles. Rather the budget of the ESF should not be increased but should be focused on helping member states create growth and employment.
Amendment  21 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The ESF shall benefit people, including disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, migrants, ethnic minorities, marginalised communities and people facing social exclusion. The ESF shall also provide support to enterprises, systems and structures with a view to facilitating their adaptation to new challenges and promoting good governance and the implementation of reforms, in particular in the fields of employment, education and social policies.	3. The ESF shall benefit people, including disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, young and low-skilled workers, people with disabilities, migrants, ethnic minorities, marginalised communities and people facing social exclusion. The ESF shall also provide support to enterprises, systems and structures with a view to facilitating their adaptation to new challenges and promoting good governance and the implementation of reforms, in particular in the fields of employment, education and social policies.
Amendment  22 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Access to employment for job-seekers and inactive people, including local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility;	(i) Access to employment and employment services for job-seekers and inactive people, including local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility;
Amendment  23 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(viia) Supporting the employment of persons in disadvantaged situations in the labour market, in particular persons with disabilities
Amendment  24 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(iiia) Training key skills, particularly entrepreneurship and empowering employability;
Amendment  25 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty through:	(c) Promoting active social inclusion and combating poverty through:
Amendment  26 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 - paragraph 1 c (i)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Active inclusion;	(i) Active inclusion through:
	- Integrated active inclusion approaches - in particular, with a view to improving employment opportunities and benefiting people of working age - which support holistic, personalised pathways to inclusion, quality of work and social participation, which include social, community integration and re-integration measures and which ensure access to quality services and inclusive labour markets.
	- Mainstreaming of a life-cycle approach to ensure the provision of integrated support to reduce poverty and social exclusion of children and older people.
Amendment  27 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Integration of marginalised communities such as the Roma;	(ii) Integration of marginalised communities;
Amendment  28 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iv
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iv) Enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high-quality services, including health care and social services of general interest;	(iv) Enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high-quality services, including employment services, education, health care and social services of general interest;
Amendment  29 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 - paragraph 1 c (vi)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. c (vi) Community-led local development strategies;	1. c (vi) Community-led local development strategies, as defined in Article 28 of the Common Provisions Regulation;
Amendment  30 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 - paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall ensure that the strategy and actions set out in the Operational Programmes are consistent and focused on addressing the challenges identified in the National Reform Programmes and the relevant Council Recommendations made under Article 148(4) of the Treaty, in order to contribute to achieving the headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy on employment, education and poverty reduction.	1. Member States shall ensure that the strategy and actions set out in the Operational Programmes are consistent and focused on addressing the challenges identified by their regions and sub-national authorities, in the National Reform Programmes and the relevant Council Recommendations made under Article 148(4) of the Treaty, in order to contribute to achieving the headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy on employment, education and poverty reduction and fulfilling the mission of the ESF as outlined in Article 2.
Amendment  31 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. At least 20 % of the total ESF resources in each Member State shall be allocated to the thematic objective ‘promoting social inclusion and combating poverty’ set out in Article 9(9) of Regulation (EU) No […].	2. At least 20 % of the total ESF resources in each Member State shall be allocated to the thematic objective "promoting active social inclusion and combating poverty" set out in Article 9(9) of Regulation (EU) No [...].
Amendment  32 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. Member States shall pursue thematic concentration according to the following modalities:	3. Member States and regional authorities shall pursue thematic concentration according to the following modalities:
Amendment  33 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	3a. The provisions on thematic concentration shall not apply to funds coming under a specific priority axis that are earmarked entirely for innovation or transnational measures.
Amendment  34 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. To encourage adequate participation of and access by non-governmental organisations to actions supported by the ESF, notably in the fields of social inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building for non-governmental organisations.	3. To encourage adequate participation of and access by non-governmental organisations to actions supported by the ESF, notably in the fields of social and socio-cultural inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building for non-governmental organisations.
Amendment  35 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The ESF may support community-led local development strategies, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No […], territorial pacts and local initiatives for employment, education and social inclusion, as well as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) as referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No […].	1. The ESF shall support community-led local development strategies, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No [...], territorial pacts and local initiatives, such as socio-cultural initiatives, for employment, including youth employment, education and social inclusion, as well as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) as referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No [...].
Amendment  36 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 - paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Complementing ERDF interventions as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [ERDF], the ESF may support sustainable urban development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental and social challenges affecting urban areas of cities which are listed in the partnership contract.	2. Complementing ERDF interventions as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [ERDF], the ESF may support sustainable urban development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental and social challenges affecting urban areas of cities which are listed in the partnership contract. These interventions shall be coordinated between the different instruments and programmes in order to avoid financing overlaps.
Amendment  37 Proposal for a regulation Article 15 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No […], the ESF may support actions and policies falling within its scope through financial instruments, such as risk-sharing schemes, equity and debt, guarantee funds, holding funds, and loan funds.	1. Pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No [...], the ESF may support actions and policies falling within its scope through financial instruments, such as risk-sharing schemes, equity and debt, guarantee funds, holding funds, loan funds and microcredits and -facilities.
Amendment  38 Proposal for a regulation Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
ESF may be used to enhance access to capital markets for public and private bodies at national and regional levels implementing actions and policies falling within the scope of the ESF and the operational programme through ‘ESF policy-based guarantees’ subject to Commission approval.	ESF may be used to enhance access to capital markets for public and private bodies at national, regional and local levels implementing actions, in particular microcredits and facilities and policies falling within the scope of the ESF and the operational programme through 'ESF policy-based guarantees' subject to Commission approval.

PROCEDURE

Title	European Social Fund and repeal of Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
References	COM(2011)0607 – C7-0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD)
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	EMPL 25.10.2011
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	BUDG 25.10.2011
Rapporteur        Date appointed	Jens Geier 6.2.2012
Date adopted	20.6.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	28 4 0
Members present for the final vote	Richard Ashworth, Reimer Böge, Zuzana Brzobohatá, Andrea Cozzolino, James Elles, Eider Gardiazábal Rubial, Jens Geier, Ivars Godmanis, Ingeborg Gräßle, Lucas Hartong, Jutta Haug, Monika Hohlmeier, Sidonia Elżbieta Jędrzejewska, Ivailo Kalfin, Sergej Kozlík, Jan Kozłowski, Giovanni La Via, Barbara Matera, Claudio Morganti, Juan Andrés Naranjo Escobar, Nadezhda Neynsky, Dominique Riquet, Alda Sousa, László Surján, Helga Trüpel, Angelika Werthmann
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Jürgen Klute, Jan Mulder, María Muñiz De Urquiza, Paul Rübig, Peter Šťastný, Theodor Dumitru Stolojan

• [1]  COM (2011)0615.
• [2]  COM(2011)0500.

OPINION of the Committee on Budgetary Control (6.6.2012)

for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
(COM(2011)0607 – C7‑0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD))

Rapporteur: Cătălin Sorin Ivan

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Budgetary Control calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment  1 Proposal for a regulation Recital 1a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(1a) Regulation (EU) No […] on the financial rules applicable to the annual budget of the Union lays down the general principles with regard to the implementation of the annual budget of the Union. It is therefore necessary to ensure consistency between that Regulation and the provisions governing the ESF.
Amendment  2 Proposal for a regulation Article 13 - paragraph 2 - point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) the obligations of the authorities for the programme in relation to management, control and audit concerning the operation are fulfilled by the authorities responsible for the programme under which that operation is supported or they enter into agreements with authorities in the Member State in which the operation is implemented provided that the conditions set out in paragraph 2 (a) and the obligations in relation to management, control and audit concerning the operation are fulfilled.	(b) the obligations of the authorities for the programme in relation to management, control and audit concerning the operation are fulfilled by the authorities responsible for the programme under which that operation is supported or they enter into agreements with authorities in the Member State in which the operation is implemented.
Justification
Aligning with COM(2011)0615.
Amendment  3 Proposal for a regulation Article 13 - paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. In addition to the expenditure referred to in Article 59(3) of Regulation (EU) No […], the purchase of infrastructure, land and real estate shall not be eligible for a contribution from the ESF.	3. In addition to the expenditure referred to in Article 59(3) of Regulation (EU) No […], the purchase of infrastructure, land and real estate, regardless of its value, shall not be eligible for a contribution from the ESF.
Justification
Aligning with COM(2011)0615.
Amendment  4 Proposal for a regulation Article 14 - paragraph 1 - subparagraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Financial audit shall exclusively aim at verifying that the conditions for reimbursements by the Commission on the basis of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums have been fulfilled.	Any financial audit deemed necessary shall aim at verifying that the conditions for reimbursements by the Commission on the basis of standard scales of unit costs and lump sums have been fulfilled.
Amendment  5 Proposal for a regulation Article 14 - paragraph 1 - subparagraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Where these forms of funding are used, the Member State may apply its accounting practices to support operations. For the purpose of this regulation and Regulation (EU) No […] these accounting practices and the resulting amounts shall not be subject to audit by the audit authority or by the Commission.	Where these forms of funding are used, the Member State may apply its accounting practices to support operations.
Amendment  6 Proposal for a regulation Article 15 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 to define the specific rules and conditions for the applications of Member States, including ceilings, for policy-based guarantees, ensuring in particular that their use does not lead to excessive levels of debt of public bodies.	The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 16 to define the specific rules and conditions for the applications of Member States, including ceilings, for policy-based guarantees, ensuring in particular that their use does not lead to excessive levels of debt of public bodies. Those delegated acts shall comply with the principles laid down in Regulation (EU) No [...] on the financial rules applicable to the annual budget of the Union.
Amendment  7 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 1 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Common indicators concerning the administration of ESF funds in the Member States:
	- number of staff committed to managing, granting and controlling ESF-Funds in the respective Member States.
	All data are to be broken down by the corresponding NUTS-levels.
Amendment  8 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 1 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.
Amendment  9 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 2 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […].	These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. The data are to be broken down by NUTS level.
Amendment  10 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 3 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.
Amendment  11 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 4 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]. They are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each priority axis. Internal validity of the sample should be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of priority axis. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]. They are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each priority axis. Internal validity of the sample should be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of priority axis. All data are to be broken down by gender and by NUTS level.

PROCEDURE

Title	European Social Fund and repeal of Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
References	COM(2011)0607 – C7-0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD)
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	EMPL 25.10.2011
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	CONT 25.10.2011
Rapporteur        Date appointed	Cătălin Sorin Ivan 24.11.2011
Date adopted	30.5.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	24 1 0
Members present for the final vote	Marta Andreasen, Jean-Pierre Audy, Inés Ayala Sender, Zigmantas Balčytis, Andrea Češková, Tamás Deutsch, Martin Ehrenhauser, Jens Geier, Ingeborg Gräßle, Cătălin Sorin Ivan, Iliana Ivanova, Jan Mulder, Eva Ortiz Vilella, Crescenzio Rivellini, Paul Rübig, Petri Sarvamaa, Theodoros Skylakakis, Bart Staes, Michael Theurer
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Zuzana Brzobohatá, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Derk Jan Eppink, Véronique Mathieu, Markus Pieper
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote	Joachim Zeller

OPINION of THE Committee on Regional Development (28.6.2012)

for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
(COM(2011)0607/2 – C7‑0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD))

Rapporteur: María Irigoyen Pérez

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Regional Development calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment  1 Proposal for a regulation Recital 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(2) The ESF should improve employment opportunities, promote education and life-long learning and develop active inclusion policies in accordance with the tasks entrusted to the ESF by Article 162 of the Treaty, and thereby contribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the Treaty. In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty, the ESF should take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.	(2) The ESF should improve employment opportunities, promote the creation of sustainable and high quality jobs, support workers' integration in the labour market and their adaption to its changes, promote education and life-long learning and develop active inclusion policies in accordance with the tasks entrusted to the ESF by Article 162 of the TFEU. Thereby the ESF should contribute to economic, social and territorial cohesion in accordance with Articles 174, 349 and 355(1) of the TFEU. In accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty, the ESF should, while designing and executing its policies and actions, take into account the requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion and poverty, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.
Amendment  2 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(4) The European Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants. The ESF should aim to promote employment and support labour mobility, invest in education, skills and life-long learning, promote social inclusion and combat poverty. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should, in particular, support European Employment Services (EURES activities) in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level.	(4) The European Union is confronted with structural and demographic challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants. The ESF should aim to create and to promote sustainable and high quality employment and support labour mobility, invest in formal and non-formal education, research, skills and life-long learning, promote social inclusion and combat poverty and discrimination. In promoting inclusive functioning of labour markets by facilitating workers' geographical and professional mobility within Member States and transnationally, the ESF should support European Employment Services (EURES activities) to play a more active role in identifying employment opportunities together with public and private entities, in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level.
Amendment  3 Proposal for a regulation Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(5) In addition to these priorities, in the less developed regions and Member States, and with a view to increasing economic growth and employment opportunities, the efficiency of public administration should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies should be strengthened.	(5) In addition to these priorities, in all regions and Member States, and with a view to increasing economic growth and promoting employment opportunities, the efficiency of public administration on the national and regional level and its ability to act in an active matter should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies should be strengthened.
Amendment                4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the development and competitiveness of European small and medium-sized enterprises and to ensure that people can adapt, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, to new challenges such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should support the labour force transition towards greener skills and jobs, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20%, with contributions from different policy fields.	(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the establishment, development and competitiveness of different types of enterprises, especially micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises and social and social economy enterprises, in order to create sustainable quality jobs and to ensure that people can adapt, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, to changing social and economic conditions and to new challenges such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should support the labour force transition towards greener skills and jobs, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20%, with contributions from different policy fields.
Amendment  5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union. The ESF should in particular increase its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited.	(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union in the areas of employment, education, social inclusion and the fight against poverty, and action to enhance institutional capacity, with adequate funding to achieve them. The ESF should in particular increase its support for an active and effective fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited. However, the thematic concentration should be flexible to allow the ESF interventions to be adapted to the individual requirements of Member States and regions.
Justification
The ESF should contribute to the 2020 Strategy within the framework of the four thematic objectives assigned to it.
The thematic concentration proposed by the Commission should be accompanied by flexibility so that ESF interventions can be adapted to the needs of each Member State and region, thereby ensuring a more effective use of resources.
Amendment  6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(9) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF depends on good governance and partnership between all relevant territorial and socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners and non-governmental organisations. It is therefore necessary that Member States encourage the participation of social partners and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of the ESF.	(9) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF depends on good governance and partnership between all relevant territorial and socio-economic actors, in particular the participation of the local and regional authorities, the social partners and non‑governmental organisations. It is therefore necessary that Member States involve and help local and regional authorities, the social partners and non-governmental organisations, where necessary with capacity building measures, in the conceiving and implementation of the ESF programmes.
Justification
The local and regional authorities should also participate in procedures linked to the drafting and implementation of the ESF.
Amendment  7 Proposal for a regulation Recital 9 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(9a) Taking into consideration the fact, that in order to assure employment and social cohesion, an integrated and holistic approach is needed; the ESF should support the creation of cross sectoral, transnational, territorial based partnerships and their programmes.
Amendment  8 Proposal for a regulation Recital 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(10) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF contribute to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender aspect into account in all dimensions of programmes, while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality.	(10) The Member States and the Commission shall ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF contribute to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender aspect into account in all dimensions and in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes in a timely and consistent manner, while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality.
Amendment  9 Proposal for a regulation Recital 12 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(12a) Taking into account that social innovation is a subject of different programmes, measures should be put in place to avoid overlapping or double- financing of the same activities and initiatives. In addition, since some activities carried out under ESF under shared management partially overlap with those of the Programme for Social Change and Innovation, which is under direct management, measures should be put in place not to duplicate or double-finance activities falling under different management modes.
Amendment  10 Proposal for a regulation Recital 14
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(14) The mobilisation of regional and local stakeholders is necessary to deliver the Europe 2020 Strategy and its headline targets. Territorial pacts, local initiatives for employment and social inclusion, community-led local development strategies and sustainable urban development strategies may be used and supported to involve more actively regional and local authorities, cities, social partners and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of programmes.	(14) The active involvement of regional and local stakeholders is necessary to deliver the Europe 2020 Strategy and its headline targets. The principle of multilevel governance presumes that territorial pacts, local initiatives for employment and social inclusion, community-led local development strategies and sustainable urban development strategies may be used and supported to involve under the partnership more actively and fruitfully those regional and local authorities, cities, social partners and non-governmental organisations in the preparation, monitoring, implementation and management of programmes, who represent the territorial level concerned.
Amendment  11 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17) The Member States and regions should be encouraged to leverage the ESF through financial instruments in order to support for example students, job creation, mobility of workers, social inclusion and social entrepreneurship.	(17) The Member States and regions should be encouraged to leverage the ESF through financial instruments in order to support for example students, elderly people, job creation, mobility of workers, social inclusion of the underprivileged and social entrepreneurship. It should help to increase the effectiveness of actions and complete actions of other EU-instruments such as PSCI, the EGF and the ERDF. However, the provision of grants should be retained to use the funding mix best suited to national, regional and local needs.
Amendment  12 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The ESF shall promote high levels of employment and job quality, support the geographical and occupational mobility of workers, facilitate their adaptation to change, encourage a high level of education and training, promote gender equality, equal opportunities and non-discrimination, enhance social inclusion and combat poverty, thereby contributing to the priorities of the European Union as regards strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion.	1. The ESF shall promote high levels of employment, job creation and contribute to improving job quality, support the geographical and occupational mobility of workers, encourage a high level of their professional education and training and facilitate their adaptation to the labour market changes and evolution, inter alia to those related to businesses and production systems. Furthermore, it shall contribute to the strengthening of economic, social and territorial cohesion in the Union, the fight against poverty and social exclusion, guarantee gender equality, equal opportunities and non-discrimination and promote youth employment. Eliminating of social inequalities and labour disparities at national, regional and local level shall be a guiding principle for all its actions.
Justification
The ESF should include among its objectives the creation of quality jobs and the adaptation of workers to technological changes and labour market developments. The ESF must also guarantee gender equality.
Explicit mention should be made of its integrating aspects and the reduction of social inequalities and disparities with regard to employment as the backbone for its actions.
Amendment  13 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The ESF shall benefit people, including disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, migrants, ethnic minorities, marginalised communities and people facing social exclusion. The ESF shall also provide support to enterprises, systems and structures with a view to facilitating their adaptation to new challenges and promoting good governance and the implementation of reforms, in particular in the fields of employment, education and social policies.	3. The ESF shall benefit people, including disadvantaged groups such as the unemployed and in particular long-term unemployed men and women, young people, workers over 54, people with disabilities, unskilled workers, migrants, asylum seekers, minorities, marginalised communities and people facing social exclusion, irrespective of their age. The ESF shall also provide support to workers, enterprises, and entrepreneurs as well as systems and structures with a view to facilitating their adaptation to new challenges and promoting good governance and the implementation of reforms, in particular in the fields of employment, education and social policies.
Justification
The ESF should pay particular attention to disadvantaged groups, which should include the unemployed, young people, women and older workers.
Amendment  14 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Access to employment for job-seekers and inactive people, including local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility;	(i) Access to employment for job-seekers, inactive and disadvantaged people, such as disabled, including local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility;
Amendment  15 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Sustainable integration of young people not in employment, education or training into the labour market;	(ii) Active, inclusive and sustainable integration of young people into the labour market, in particular of those not in employment, education or training and promoting youth mobility in Europe;
Justification
The ESF should promote the active and lasting integration of young people into the labour market, paying particular attention to young people not in employment, education or training.
Amendment  16 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) Self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation;	(iii) Self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation and development, particularly of microenterprises and SMEs, supported by technical advice and orientation to sustainable economic activities including business transfer among SMEs;
Amendment  17 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iv) Equality between men and women and reconciliation between work and private life;	(iv) Effective equality between men and women in the labour market and in career progression and reconciliation between work and personal and family life;
Justification
The ESF should promote effective equality between men and women and reconciliation between work and personal and family life.
Amendment  18 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point v
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(v) Adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs to change;	(v) Adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs, in particular SMEs and micro enterprises, to sustainable, technological, labour market, demographic, social and economic changes through active and preventative measures, focused inter alia on regions subject to a restructuring of enterprises and sectors, affected by industrial transition;
Justification
The ESF should promote and make provision for the adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs to technological changes and changes in the labour market. This measure is particularly useful in regions affected by the restructuring of enterprises and sectors, and by the closure or relocation of enterprises.
Amendment  19 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) Active and healthy ageing;	(vi) Active and healthy ageing by improvement of their working and living conditions, their environment and health, including health promoting physical activities and amateur sport;
Amendment  20 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
vii) Modernisation and strengthening of labour market institutions, including actions to enhance transnational labour mobility;	vii) Modernisation and strengthening of labour market institutions, including actions to enhance workers’ transnational labour mobility, through the cross-border integration of labour markets, recognition of skills and professional qualifications and strengthening of EURES network activities;
Justification
The ESF should promote the enhancement of workers’ transnational labour mobility, through the cross-border integration of labour markets, recognition of skills and professional qualifications and strengthening of EURES network activities.
Amendment  21 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Access to employment for job-seekers and inactive people, including local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility;	(vii) Access to employment and employment services for job-seekers and inactive people, including local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility;
Amendment  22 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) Investing in education, skills and life-long learning through:	(b) Investing in good quality and modern education, skills and life-long learning through:
Amendment  23 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
i) Reducing early school-leaving and promoting equal access to good-quality early-childhood, primary and secondary education	i) Preventing and reducing school‑leaving and promoting equal access to good‑quality early childhood, primary and secondary education;
Justification
The ESF should prevent and reduce early school-leaving with the aim of reducing youth unemployment and helping to ensure that all citizens acquire the minimum training needed, promoting continuity of education and reintegration into education.
Amendment  24 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(i a) establishment and strengthening of practical, economy-related training for young people through dual education systems that link theoretical and practical course content in a meaningful way;
Amendment  25 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Improving the quality, efficiency and openness of tertiary and equivalent education with a view to increasing participation and attainment levels;	(ii) Improving the quality, efficiency and openness of tertiary and equivalent education, through using modern teaching systems, with a view to increasing participation and attainment levels to allow, inter alia adaptation to the needs in the labour market;
Justification
Nowadays, there are many skills which are not useful in finding work opportunities, making it essential for training to fit in with the market. There are countries with too little skilled labour in some areas and others where there is too much, which will effectively support mobility throughout Europe.
Amendment  26 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) Enhancing access to lifelong learning, upgrading the skills and competences of the workforce and increasing the labour market relevance of education and training systems;	(iii) Enhancing access to lifelong learning, upgrading the skills and professional competences of the workforce and ensuring that education and training systems match labour market needs and developments, by boosting education and measures to ease the transition between education, vocational training and access to employment, paying particular attention to training and apprenticeship for young people, long-term unemployed and elderly workers;
Amendment  27 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Active inclusion;	(i) Social and labour active inclusion of all, particularly of the most disadvantaged groups, by both promoting participation in the labour market and fighting poverty and exclusion;
Justification
The ESF should promote the social and employment inclusion of the most disadvantaged groups.
Amendment  28 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Integration of marginalised communities such as the Roma;	(ii)Full social and labour integration of marginalised communities such as Roma, disabled and other disadvantaged groups;
Justification
The ESF should target its actions at the social and employment integration of the most disadvantaged groups.
Amendment  29 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	ii a) employment and social integration of migrant workers;
Justification
The ESF should target its actions at the social and employment integration of migrant workers.
Amendment  30 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) Community-led local development strategies;	(vi) The promotion of community-led local development strategies;
Amendment  31 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point i – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
This investment priority is only applicable throughout the territory of the Member States which have at least one NUTS level 2 region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support.	This investment priority is only applicable throughout the territory of the Member States which have at least one NUTS level 2 region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […], in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support, or in Member States which have high levels of unemployment, with the aim of establishing actions that will contribute to job creation by enhancing institutional capacity and ensuring efficient public administration and public services.
Justification
The ESF should include the possibility for Member States with high levels of unemployment to allocate resources to enhancing institutional capacity and making public administration more efficient, with the aim of reforming and improving the regulation and management of public services and hence contributing to job creation.
Amendment  32 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(ii) Capacity building for stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies and sectoral and territorial pacts to mobilise for reform at national, regional and local level.	(ii) Capacity building for stakeholders such as social partners and non-governmental organisations, delivering employment, formal and non-formal education, vocational training, social policies and sectoral and territorial pacts to mobilise for reform at national, regional and local level.
Amendment  33 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(a) Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon, climate-resilient, resource-efficient and environmentally sustainable economy, through reform of education and training systems, adaptation of skills and qualifications, up-skilling of the labour force, and the creation of new jobs in sectors related to the environment and energy;	(a) Supporting the shift towards a low-emission, climate-resilient, resource- and energy efficient, and environmentally sustainable economy, through reform of education and training systems, adaptation of skills and qualifications, up-skilling of the labour force, and the creation of new green jobs in sectors related to the environment and energy;
Amendment  34 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(d) Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, through promoting the adaptability of enterprises and workers and increased investment in human capital.	(d) Enhancing the competitiveness and sustainable development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, inter alia cooperative, social economy and social enterprises, through increased investment in human capital and through promoting the adaptability of enterprises, workers and managers to meet new societal challenges.
Amendment  35 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall ensure that the strategy and actions set out in the Operational Programmes are consistent and focused on addressing the challenges identified in the National Reform Programmes and the relevant Council Recommendations made under Article 148(4) of the Treaty, in order to contribute to achieving the headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy on employment, education and poverty reduction.	1. Member States shall ensure that the strategy and actions set out in the Operational Programmes are consistent and focused on addressing the challenges identified with the contribution of regional and local authorities in the National Reform Programmes and the relevant Council Recommendations made under Article 148(4) of the Treaty, in order to contribute to achieving the headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy on employment, education and poverty reduction.
Amendment  36 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point a
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
a) For more developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 80 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).	a) For more developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 70 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to six of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).
Justification
The amendment seeks to ensure a degree of flexibility in the amounts that can be allocated to each operational programme, in order to enable the regions to work more effectively in the specific fields in which their need is greatest.
Amendment  37 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
b) For transition regions, Member States shall concentrate 70 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).	b) For transition regions, Member States shall concentrate 60 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to six of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).
Justification
The amendment seeks to ensure a degree of flexibility in the amounts that can be allocated to each operational programme, in order to enable the regions to work more effectively in the specific fields in which their need is greatest.
Amendment  38 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) For less developed regions, Member States shall concentrate 60 % of the ESF allocation to each operational programme on up to four of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1)	(c) For less developed regions, and for the regions whose GDP per capita for the 2007- 2013 period was less than 75% of the average GDP of the EU- 25 but which are now eligible under the transition or more developed regions category, Member States shall concentrate 50 % of the allocation to each operational programme on up to six of the investment priorities set out in Article 3(1).
Justification
The amendment seeks to ensure a degree of flexibility in the amounts that can be allocated to each operational programme, in order to enable the regions to work more effectively in the specific fields in which their need is greatest.
Amendment  39 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The involvement of the social partners and other stakeholders, in particular non-governmental organisations, in the implementation of operational programmes, as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No […], may take the form of global grants as defined in Article 113(7) of Regulation (EU) No […]. In such a case, the operational programme shall identify the part of the programme concerned by the global grant, including an indicative financial allocation from each priority axis to it.	1. The involvement of local and regional authorities and of the social partners and other stakeholders, in particular non‑governmental organisations, in the implementation of operational programmes, as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No […], may take the form of technical assistance under Articles 108 and 109 of Regulation (EU) nº […] and of global grants as defined in Article 113(7) of Regulation (EU) No […]. In such a case, the operational programme shall identify the part of the programme concerned by the global grant, including an indicative financial allocation from each priority axis to it.
	The managing authorities of an operational programme shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity building for small local authorities.
Justification
The ESF must encourage the participation of local and regional authorities, the social partners and other stakeholders and, in particular, non-governmental organisations, in the implementation of the operational programmes, by means of global grants and of technical assistance.
Amendment  40 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. To encourage adequate participation of the social partners in actions supported by the ESF, managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building activities, in the form of training, networking measures, and strengthening of the social dialogue, and to activities jointly undertaken by the social partners.	2. To encourage adequate participation of the social partners in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and management of the programmes supported by the ESF, in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation EU No […], managing authorities of an operational programme shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building activities, in the form of training, networking measures, and strengthening of the social dialogue, and to activities jointly undertaken by the social partners.
Justification
Support for participation by the social partners in measures supported by the ESF must not be restricted to the poorest regions or those eligible for cohesion funding, but must cover all the EU Member States and regions.
Amendment  41 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. To encourage adequate participation of and access by non-governmental organisations to actions supported by the ESF, notably in the fields of social inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building for non-governmental organisations.	3. To encourage adequate participation of and access by non-governmental organisations in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and management of the programmes supported by the ESF, particularly with measures of impact and in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation EU No […], notably in the fields of social inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity‑building and networking for non-governmental organisations.
Justification
Support for participation by non-governmental organisations in measures supported by the ESF must not be restricted to the poorest regions or those eligible for cohesion funding, but must cover all the EU Member States and regions.
Amendment  42 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	Article 6 a
	In order to ensure that ESF resources are used efficiently and deliver the expected benefits, a system must be developed to simplify procedural and administrative matters for social partners and NGOs.
Amendment  43 Proposal for a regulation Article 7 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women through mainstreaming as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […] and specific targeted actions as referred to in Article 3(1)(a)(iv), in particular with the aim of increasing the sustainable participation and progress of women in employment, reducing gender-based segregation in the labour market, combating gender stereotypes in education and training and promoting reconciliation of work and personal life for men and women.	The Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women through mainstreaming as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […] and specific targeted actions as referred to in Article 3(1)(a)(iv), in particular with the aim of eliminating gender basic segregation of women in the labour market, especially following periods of maternity and caring for dependents, reducing gender-based discrimination in the labour market and eliminating the pay gap between men and women, combating gender stereotypes in education and training and ensuring reconciliation of work and personal and family life for men and women through measures such as facilitating access to childcare and care for dependent persons, as well as addressing the feminisation of poverty by promoting equal share of care responsibility between men and woman.
	The Member States shall ensure that gender equality and equal opportunities are promoted in the preparation, implementation, monitoring, management and evaluation of operational programmes.
Justification
The ESF should promote the genuine and lasting participation of women in the labour market through the introduction of measures which encourage their integration into the labour market, especially following periods of maternity and caring for dependents, and ensure the reconciliation of work and personal and family life. Special attention must also be awarded to reducing wage differences between men and women.
Amendment  44 Proposal for a regulation Article 8 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Member States and the Commission shall promote equal opportunities for all, including accessibility for disabled persons through mainstreaming the principle of non-discrimination, as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […], and through specific actions within the investment priorities as defined in Article 3, and in particular Article 3(1)(c)(iii). Such actions shall target people at risk of discrimination and people with disabilities, with a view to increasing their labour market participation, enhancing their social inclusion, reducing inequalities in terms of educational attainment and health status and facilitating the transition from institutional to community-based care.	The Member States and the Commission shall promote the combating of discrimination and the acceptance of diversity and equal opportunities for all, including accessibility for disabled persons through mainstreaming the principle of non-discrimination, as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [...], and through specific actions within the investment priorities as defined in Article 3, and in particular Article 3(1)(c)(iii). Such actions shall target people who experience discrimination, especially where this is multiple discrimination, people at risk of discrimination and people with disabilities, with a view to increasing their labour market participation, in particular improving their accessibility of the labour market, enhancing their social inclusion, reducing inequalities in terms of educational attainment and health status and facilitating the transition from institutional to community-based care.
Justification
The ESF must provide for measures promoting not just equal opportunities but also the combating of discrimination and the acceptance of diversity. Special attention must be awarded to groups of people who experience multiple discrimination.
Amendment  45 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The ESF shall promote social innovation within all areas falling under the scope of the ESF, as defined in Article 3 of this Regulation, in particular with the aim of testing and scaling up innovative solutions to address social needs.	1. The ESF shall promote social innovation within all areas falling under the scope of the ESF, as defined in Article 3 of this Regulation, in particular with the aim of testing, evaluating and scaling up innovative solutions including bottom up solutions to address social needs.
Amendment  46 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Member States shall identify themes for social innovation, corresponding to their specific needs in their operational programmes.	2. Member States shall identify in their operational programmes, in cooperation with their local and regional authority partners and with the participation of all the stakeholders, themes for social innovation corresponding to their specific needs and specific regional needs.
Justification
Local and regional authorities must participate, along with all the other stakeholders, in selecting the themes for social innovation.
Amendment  47 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The Commission shall facilitate capacity building for social innovation, in particular through supporting mutual learning, establishing networks, and disseminating good practices and methodologies.	3. The European Commission together with the Member States shall facilitate capacity building for social innovation, in particular through supporting mutual learning, establishing networks, and disseminating good practices and methodologies. It shall also ensure that the social innovation measures under the ESF are consistent with, and complementary to, those taken under the EU Programme for Social Change and Innovation.
Justification
In the interests of capacity-building in the field of social innovation and the efficient use of resources, the measures promoted by the ESF must be consistent with, and complementary to, the measures taken under the EU Programme for Social Change and Innovation.
Amendment  48 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 – title
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Transnational cooperation	Cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation
Amendment  49 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall support transnational cooperation with the aim of promoting mutual learning and thereby increasing the effectiveness of policies supported by the ESF. Transnational cooperation shall involve partners from at least two Member States.	1. Member States shall ensure cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation with the aim of promoting mutual learning and thereby increasing the effectiveness of policies supported by the ESF. Transnational cooperation shall involve partners, referred to in Article 5 of the Regulation (EU) No [...), from at least two Member States.
Amendment  50 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Member States may select themes for transnational co-operation from a list proposed by the Commission and endorsed by the ESF Committee.	2. Member States may select themes for cross-border, transnational and interregional co-operation from a list proposed by the Commission and after consultation with civil society organisations and local and regional authorities and endorsed by the ESF Committee, taking into account the local specificities and needs of the targeted areas.
Justification
The closest possible consensus must be reached over the list of themes for transnational co-operation and the greatest possible consistency sought between the transnational themes selected and the thematic objectives of the various operational programmes.
Amendment  51 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The Commission shall facilitate transnational cooperation on the themes referred to in paragraph 2 through mutual learning and coordinated or joint action. In particular, the Commission shall operate an EU-level platform to facilitate the exchange of experience, capacity building and networking, as well as dissemination of the relevant outcomes. In addition, the Commission shall develop a coordinated implementation framework, including common eligibility criteria, types and timing of actions, and common methodological approaches for monitoring and evaluation, with a view to facilitating transnational cooperation.	3. The Commission shall facilitate cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation on the themes referred to in paragraph 2 through mutual learning and coordinated or joint action. In particular, the Commission shall operate an EU-level platform to facilitate the exchange of experience, capacity building and networking, as well as dissemination of the relevant outcomes. In addition, the Commission shall develop a coordinated implementation framework, including common eligibility criteria, types and timing of actions, and common methodological approaches for monitoring and evaluation, with a view to facilitating the cooperation. Cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation supported by the ESF should be aligned with Regulation (EU) No [...] [ETC] in order to ensure coordination between the funds as provided for in that Regulation.
Amendment  52 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. By way of derogation from Article 87(1) of Regulation (EU) No […], operational programmes may set out priority axes for the implementation of social innovation and transnational cooperation as referred to in Articles 9 and 10.	1. By way of derogation from Article 87(1) of Regulation (EU) No […], operational programmes should set out priority axes for the implementation of social innovation and transnational cooperation as referred to in Articles 9 and 10.
Justification
Application of social innovation and transnational cooperation shall be fostered in the approaches of the operational programmes.
Amendment  53 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. By way of derogation from Article 110(3) of Regulation (EU) No […], the maximum co-financing rate for a priority axis shall be increased by ten percentage points, but not exceeding 100%, where the whole of a priority axis is dedicated to social innovation or to transnational cooperation, or a combination of both.	2. By way of derogation from Article 110(3) of Regulation (EU) No […], the maximum co-financing rate for a priority axis shall be increased by ten percentage points, but not exceeding 100%, where the whole of a priority axis is dedicated to social innovation or to transnational cooperation, or a combination of both in the case of programmes managed by non-governmental organisations or social partners;
Amendment  54 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	3a. The operational programmes shall, where appropriate, with a view to maximising the effectiveness of ESF support, take into account areas, listed under Articles 174, 349 and 355(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Justification
The ESF should award special attention to the least favoured regions, in accordance with Articles 174 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
Amendment  55 Proposal for a regulation Article 11 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(b a) to increase education and training, particularly among young people;
Amendment  56 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The ESF may support community-led local development strategies, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No [...], territorial pacts and local initiatives for employment, education and social inclusion, as well as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) as referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No. […].	1. The ESF should in particular support community-led local development strategies, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No [...], territorial pacts and local initiatives for employment, education and social inclusion, as well as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) as referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No. […].
Amendment  57 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	1b. In regions that are particularly affected by demographic developments and in which youth unemployment is below 8 %, the ESF can be used for initiatives to encourage people over 60 back to work.
Justification
The long-term aim of the measures funded by the ESF is always to get people into the labour market (for the first time). This does not always apply to people who are on the verge of retirement. This formulation is intended to ensure that older people can also benefit from ESF measures. Particular attention should be paid to the special demographic situation in the regions. The need to invest in older workers can be explained by the decline in the proportion of young people in the working population or sustained comparatively low unemployment rates among young people. This can be assumed to be the case when the average regional youth unemployment rate drops below eight per cent.
Amendment  58 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Complementing ERDF interventions as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [ERDF], the ESF may support sustainable urban development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental and social challenges affecting urban areas of cities which are listed in the partnership contract.	2. Complementing ERDF interventions as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [ERDF], the ESF may support sustainable local and regional urban development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental, climate, demographic and social challenges affecting urban areas of cities which are listed in the partnership contract.
Justification
Rural and less-populated areas should not be overlooked when specific types of area are being addressed. A minimum of 5% should be set for local development, in line with Article 7 of the ERDF Regulation.
Amendment  59 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	2a. At least 5% of the ESF resources allocated at national level shall be allocated to integrated actions for sustainable local development delegated to municipalities for management through Integrated Territorial Investments referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No […]/2012 [CPR].
Justification
Rural areas should not be overlooked when specific types of area are being addressed. A minimum of 5% should be set for local development, in line with Article 7 of the ERDF Regulation.
Amendment  60 Proposal for a regulation Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) the obligations of the authorities for the programme in relation to management, control and audit concerning the operation are fulfilled by the authorities responsible for the programme under which that operation is supported or they enter into agreements with authorities in the Member State in which the operation is implemented provided that the conditions set out in paragraph 2 (a) and the obligations in relation to management, control and audit concerning the operation are fulfilled.	(b) the obligations of the authorities for the programme in relation to management, control and audit concerning the operation are fulfilled by the authorities responsible for the programme under which that operation is supported or they enter into agreements with authorities in the Member State in which the operation is implemented provided that the conditions set out in paragraph 2 (a) and the obligations in relation to management, control and audit concerning the operation are fulfilled. Within 5% of the budget of the ESF operational programme, expenditure under such operations and provided they concern research and innovation, education and training is eligible outside the Union if incurred and paid according to the Member State and EU rules applicable to the operational programme. If a programme is funded through more than one fund, Article 87(1) of the Regulation (EU) No [...]/2012 [CPR] the maximum of 5% is calculated on the basis of the allocation to the programme from the ESF.
Amendment  61 Proposal for a regulation Article 14 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. Grants reimbursed on the basis of the eligible cost of operations, determined in the way of flat-rate financing, standard scales of unit costs and lump sums as referred to in Article 57(1) of Regulation (EU) No […] may be calculated on a case-by-case basis by reference to a draft budget agreed ex ante by the Managing Authority, where the public support does not exceed EUR 100 000.	3. Grants reimbursed on the basis of the eligible cost of operations, determined in the way of flat-rate financing, standard scales of unit costs and lump sums as referred to in Article 57(1) of Regulation (EU) No […] may be calculated on a case-by-case basis by reference to a draft budget agreed ex ante by the Managing Authority, where the EU co-financing does not exceed EUR 100 000.
Amendment  62 Proposal for a regulation Article 14 – paragraph 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
4. Grants for which the public support does not exceed EUR 50 000 shall take the form of lump sums or standard scales of unit costs in accordance with paragraph 1 or Article 57 of Regulation (EU) No […], except for operations receiving support within the framework of a state aid scheme.	4. Grants for which the EU co-financing does not exceed EUR 50 000 shall take the form of lump sums or standard scales of unit costs in accordance with paragraph 1 or Article 57 of Regulation (EU) No […], except for operations receiving support within the framework of a state aid scheme.
Amendment  63 Proposal for a regulation Article 15 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No […], the ESF may support actions and policies falling within its scope through financial instruments, such as risk-sharing schemes, equity and debt, guarantee funds, holding funds, and loan funds.	1. Pursuant to Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No [...], the ESF may support actions and policies falling within its scope through financial instruments, such as risk-sharing schemes, equity and debt, guarantee funds, holding funds, loan funds and microcredits and -facilities.
Justification
The option of must be made available of supporting measures and policies through the use of microcredit.
Amendment  64 Proposal for a regulation Article 16 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	2a. Delegated Acts are established in cooperation with the European representatives of the partners referred to in Article 5 of the Regulation on the common provision, in consultation with the ESF Committee;
Amendment  65 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
unemployed, including long-term unemployed	unemployed, including long-term unemployed, showing separate data on age, gender and disabled people
Amendment  66 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	from rural areas
Amendment  67 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(1a) Holders of vocational education and training qualifications
Amendment  68 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 1 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data on participants entering an ESF supported operation are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender in order to show the interventions on men and women.
Amendment  69 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 – indent 3 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	- number of employed women in the MINT-sector upon leaving
Amendment  70 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 – indent 7 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	- number of participants, from disadvantaged groups in education, training, gaining qualification or in employment upon leaving
Amendment  71 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 – indent 9 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	- number of disabled participants in employment after getting support
Amendment  72 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – point 4 bis (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	- number of participants no longer receiving minimum income or other benefits following participation
Amendment  73 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 3 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(1) and (2) and Article 101(1) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All data are to be broken down by gender in order to the interventions on men and women.
Amendment  74 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
· participants in employment 6 months after leaving	· participants in employment 9 months after leaving.
Amendment  75 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
· participants in self-employment 6 months after leaving.	· participants in self-employment 9 months after leaving.
Amendment  76 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
· participants with an improved labour market situation 6 months after leaving.	· participants with an improved labour market situation 9 months after leaving.
Amendment  77 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	· participants who no longer receive social benefits in 9 months following participation
Amendment  78 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 – indent 10 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	- number of women employed in the MINT-sector 9 months after leaving
Amendment  79 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 – indent 11 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	- number of disabled participants in employment after 9 months of getting support
Amendment  80 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – point 3 – indent 15 (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	- reduction of number of cases of discrimination registered by the designated body or bodies for the promotion of equal treatment
Amendment  81 Proposal for a regulation Annex 1 – point 4 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]. They are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each priority axis or sub-priority. Internal validity of the sample should be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of priority axis or sub-priority. All data are to be broken down by gender.	These data are to be provided in the annual implementation reports as specified in Article 44(4) of Regulation (EU) No […]. They are to be collected based on a representative sample of participants within each priority axis or sub-priority. Internal validity of the sample should be ensured in such a way that the data can be generalised at the level of priority axis or sub-priority. All data are to be broken down by gender in order to show the interventions on men and women.

PROCEDURE

Title	European Social Fund and repeal of Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
References	COM(2011)0607 – C7-0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD)
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	EMPL 25.10.2011
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	REGI 25.10.2011
Rapporteur        Date appointed	María Irigoyen Pérez 21.6.2011
Discussed in committee	23.11.2011	25.1.2012	28.2.2012	19.3.2012
	26.4.2012	8.5.2012
Date adopted	21.6.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	36 1 6
Members present for the final vote	François Alfonsi, Catherine Bearder, Jean-Paul Besset, Victor Boştinaru, John Bufton, Alain Cadec, Salvatore Caronna, Nikos Chrysogelos, Ryszard Czarnecki, Francesco De Angelis, Rosa Estaràs Ferragut, Brice Hortefeux, Danuta Maria Hübner, Filiz Hakaeva Hyusmenova, María Irigoyen Pérez, Seán Kelly, Constanze Angela Krehl, Petru Constantin Luhan, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Ramona Nicole Mănescu, Vladimír Maňka, Riikka Manner, Iosif Matula, Erminia Mazzoni, Miroslav Mikolášik, Lambert van Nistelrooij, Jan Olbrycht, Markus Pieper, Monika Smolková, Ewald Stadler, Oldřich Vlasák, Kerstin Westphal, Joachim Zeller
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Antonello Antinoro, Cornelia Ernst, Pat the Cope Gallagher, Jens Geier, Lena Kolarska-Bobińska, James Nicholson, Ivari Padar, Vilja Savisaar-Toomast, Elisabeth Schroedter, Patrice Tirolien

OPINION of the Committee on Culture and Education (20.6.2012)

for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
(COM(2011)0607 – C7‑0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD))

Rapporteur: Malika Benarab-Attou

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

The proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006 establishes the framework for European Social Fund (ESF) measures with funding being concentrated on a limited number of Europe 2020 Strategy objectives. The strategy features seven flagship initiatives including New Skills and Jobs, Youth on the Move, the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion and the Digital Agenda.

It is in this context that funding priorities must be further elaborated.

The Strategy for New Skills and Jobs centres on the prevention of early school leaving and the need for Member States to offer alternatives in the field of training and apprenticeship. It also stresses the importance of training and the development of skills in terms of enhanced employment prospects over a lifetime. EP report 2011/2067 (INI) stresses the need to deploy ESF resources in these priority areas.

‘Youth on the Move’ seeks to reduce school dropout rates from 15% to 10% and increase the percentage of graduates from 31% to 40% in 2012. It places emphasis on the qualification levels of students and young people in training. EP report 2010/2307 (INI) calls on the ESF to authorise funding for cross-cutting measures covering a number of areas such as employment, mobility, social integration and cultural initiatives.

The European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion is intended to promote innovation and social experimentation in various forms at all stages of life. In its report 2011/2052 (INI) the European Parliament calls on the ESF to contribute to this flagship initiative and calls on the Commission ‘to boost the involvement of organised civil society (and) all stakeholders (...) in the development of a European Strategy’[1].

Finally, the Digital Agenda seeks to reduce by half digital literacy and competence gaps by 2015 and recommends ITC training for adults. It intends to launch a digital literacy and specific training projects for those categories at risk of exclusion.

This opinion seeks to stress the most neglected aspects of the ESF such as involvement of the public, young people, the cultural dimension, training and sport.

Young people

The proposal for a regulation includes a reduction in early school leaving and measures to promote equal access to good quality pre-school, primary and secondary education while stressing the importance of measures to prevent unemployment among young people. It must therefore stress the need to take account of the concerns of this generation, which finds itself at the centre of the crisis, and clearly designate young people as beneficiaries of funding initiatives, including those designed to encourage their involvement in society.

Cultural aspects

In its ‘Conclusions on cultural and creative competencies and their role in building the intellectual capital of Europe’, the Council invites the Member States to ‘embrace the contribution of cultural and creative competencies as a basis for sustainable jobs and social innovation in order to make full use of the possibilities offered by the (...) European Social Fund’[2].

The same year, in its resolution on unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries, the European Parliament ‘Calls on the Commission to promote joint research and partnership programmes between the cultural and creative industries and the education and training sector (including in-service training) thus providing citizens with creative and intercultural skills to facilitate the use of new techniques and new creative tools in the education sector, to step up lifelong education and training – specifically through use of the European Social Fund – in view of the pace of technological change in this field’.

In the context of current cohesion policy, the only contribution of culture to local and regional development is in terms of cultural heritage and tourism. The Commission proposal regarding structural funds for 2014-2020 makes no provision for culture in wider terms.

However, culture is intrinsically linked to education, social inclusion, innovation and hence the EU 2020 Strategy. Its rich and varied contribution to education and training through the development of skills and expertise, as well as economic development based on the cultural and creative sectors and social inclusion based on its support for marginalised communities, provide ample justification for the inclusion of predominantly cultural projects among the measures envisaged.

Sport

The ESF should also include sport as a means of encouraging social inclusion, integration and equal opportunities.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Culture and Education calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment  1 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(4) The European Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants. The ESF should aim to promote employment and support labour mobility, invest in education, skills and life-long learning, promote social inclusion and combat poverty. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should, in particular, support European Employment Services (EURES activities) in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level.	(4) The Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and vulnerable social groups. The ESF should aim to promote employment and support labour mobility, invest in education, skills and life-long learning, support and encourage entrepreneurship, especially among young people, promote social inclusion and combat poverty. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should, in particular, support European Employment Services (EURES activities) in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level.
Amendment  2 Proposal for a regulation Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(5) In addition to these priorities, in the less developed regions and Member States, and with a view to increasing economic growth and employment opportunities, the efficiency of public administration should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies should be strengthened.	(5) In addition to these priorities, in the less developed regions and Member States, and with a view to increasing economic growth, public participation and employment opportunities for all, the efficiency of public administration, including e-governance, should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies should be strengthened.
Amendment  3 Proposal for a regulation Recital 6
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the development and competitiveness of European small and medium-sized enterprises and to ensure that people can adapt, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, to new challenges such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should support the labour force transition towards greener skills and jobs, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20%, with contributions from different policy fields.	(6) At the same time, it is crucial to support the ongoing development and competitiveness of European micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including cultural and creative enterprises, and to ensure that, through acquiring appropriate skills and through lifelong learning opportunities, people can meet new challenges, such as the shift to a knowledge-based economy, the digital agenda, and the transition to a low-carbon and more energy-efficient economy. By pursuing its primary thematic objectives, the ESF should contribute to addressing these challenges. In this context, the ESF should include the contribution of cultural and creative skills, encouraging access to decent work, and should support the transition of workers towards greener skills and jobs, in particular in the energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable transport sectors, taking into account the Union's intention to increase the proportion of the EU budget that is related to climate mainstreaming to at least 20%, with contributions from different policy fields.
Amendment  4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union. The ESF should in particular increase its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited.	(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union. The ESF should in particular increase its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation, and should aim to reduce social disparities. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited.
Amendment  5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(8) In order to ensure closer monitoring and improved assessment of the results achieved at European level by actions supported by the ESF, a common set of output and result indicators should be established.	(8) In order to ensure closer monitoring and improved assessment of the results achieved at European level by actions supported by the ESF, a common set of output and result indicators should be established which take account of qualitative aspects, such as the ongoing nature of funded projects and the benefits in terms of job creation or integration.
Amendment  6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 9
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(9) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF depends on good governance and partnership between all relevant territorial and socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners and non-governmental organisations. It is therefore necessary that Member States encourage the participation of social partners and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of the ESF.	(9) Efficient and effective implementation of actions supported by the ESF depends on good governance and partnership between all relevant territorial and socio-economic actors, in particular the social partners, local authorities, and non-governmental organisations. It is therefore necessary that Member States encourage the active participation of the social partners, local authorities, and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of the ESF.
Amendment  7 Proposal for a regulation Recital 12
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(12) Support for social innovation is crucial for making policies more responsive to social change and to encourage and support innovative social enterprises. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions before scaling them up is instrumental in improving the efficiency of the policies and thus justifies specific support from the ESF.	(12) Support for social innovation by encouraging and supporting innovative social and cultural enterprises, which, by their very nature and in view of their potential in terms of sustainable employment, contribute to social and economic development. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions is essential in order to improve the efficiency of the policies and thus justifies specific support from the ESF.
Amendment  8 Proposal for a regulation Recital 14
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(14) The mobilisation of regional and local stakeholders is necessary to deliver the Europe 2020 Strategy and its headline targets. Territorial pacts, local initiatives for employment and social inclusion, community-led local development strategies and sustainable urban development strategies may be used and supported to involve more actively regional and local authorities, cities, social partners and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of programmes.	(14) The mobilisation of regional and local stakeholders is necessary to deliver the Europe 2020 Strategy and its headline targets. Territorial pacts, local initiatives for employment and social inclusion, public participation, community-led local development strategies and sustainable urban development strategies may be used and supported to involve more actively regional and local authorities, cities, social partners and non-governmental organisations in the implementation of programmes.
Amendment  9 Proposal for a regulation Recital 17
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(17) The Member States and regions should be encouraged to leverage the ESF through financial instruments in order to support for example students, job creation, mobility of workers, social inclusion and social entrepreneurship.	(17) The Member States and regions should be encouraged to leverage the ESF through financial instruments in order to support for example students, learning mobility, job creation, mobility of workers, physical activity and sport, social inclusion, social entrepreneurship and public participation.
Amendment  10 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. It shall do so by supporting Member States in pursuing the priorities and headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The ESF shall support the design and implementation of policies and actions, taking account of the integrated guidelines for the economic and employment policies of Member States and the Council Recommendations on the National Reform Programmes.	2. It shall do so by supporting Member States in pursuing the priorities and headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, with the aim of ensuring enhanced social cohesion. The ESF shall support the design and implementation of policies and actions, taking account of the integrated guidelines for the economic and employment policies of Member States and the Council Recommendations on the National Reform Programmes.
Amendment  11 Proposal for a regulation Article 2 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The ESF shall benefit people, including disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, migrants, ethnic minorities, marginalised communities and people facing social exclusion. The ESF shall also provide support to enterprises, systems and structures with a view to facilitating their adaptation to new challenges and promoting good governance and the implementation of reforms, in particular in the fields of employment, education and social policies.	3. The ESF shall benefit people, including disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, migrants, young people, children, ethnic minorities, marginalised communities andgroups threatened with or facing social exclusion. The ESF shall also provide support to organisations, systems and structures with a view to facilitating their adaptation to new challenges and promoting good governance and the implementation of reforms, in particular in the fields of socio-cultural and cultural activity, employment, education, training, social policies and sport.
Amendment  12 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
i) Access to employment for job-seekers and inactive people, including local employment initiatives and support for labour mobility;	(i) Access to decent work for job-seekers and inactive people, including local employment initiatives and support for labour, guidance, mobility retraining and acquiring skills;
Amendment  13 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
iii) Self-employment, entrepreneurship and business creation;	(iii) Self-employment, entrepreneurship and the creation, ongoing development and transfer of businesses, particularly for micro and small enterprises;
Amendment  14 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point vi
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(vi) Active and healthy ageing;	(vi) Active and healthy ageing, notably through sport;
Amendment  15 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) Investing in education, skills and life-long learning through:	(b) Investing in education, vocational training and apprenticeships, skills, qualifications and life-long learning through:
Amendment  16 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(i) Reducing early school-leaving and promoting equal access to good-quality early-childhood, primary and secondary education;	(i) Reducing early school-leaving and promoting equal access to good-quality early-childhood, primary and secondary education and vocational training;
Amendment  17 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
ii) Improving the quality, efficiency and openness of tertiary and equivalent education with a view to increasing participation and attainment levels;	ii) Improving the quality, efficiency and openness of tertiary education and professional training facilities with a view to increasing participation and attainment levels;
Amendment  18 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) Enhancing access to lifelong learning, upgrading the skills and competences of the workforce and increasing the labour market relevance of education and training systems;	(iii) Enhancing young people's access to lifelong learning and learning mobility , upgrading the skills, knowledge, qualifications and competences of the workforce and increasing the labour market relevance of education and training systems;
Amendment  19 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(iiia) Supporting the promotion of cultural opportunities and activities, for instance through training in the cultural, artistic, and creative sphere;
Amendment  20 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point v
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(v) Promoting the social economy and social enterprises;	(v) Promoting the social economy and social and cultural enterprises;
Amendment  21 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vi a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(via) Promoting creativity and innovation by supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in leading sectors, including the cultural and creative sectors, and certain non-governmental and cooperative organisations;
Amendment  22 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point vi b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(vib) Promoting cultural products and wider access to cultural and creative opportunities;
Amendment  23 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
ii) Capacity building for stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies and sectoral and territorial pacts to mobilise for reform at national, regional and local level.	(ii) Capacity building for stakeholders, in particular the partners referred to under Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No [...], that deliver social and cultural policies for young people, employment, education and lifelong training and sectoral and territorial pacts to mobilise for reform at national, regional and local level.
Amendment  24 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) Enhancing the accessibility, use and quality of information and communication technologies, through the development of digital literacy, investment in e-inclusion, e-skills and related entrepreneurial skills;	(b) Enhancing the accessibility, use and quality of information and communication technologies, through the development of digital literacy, investment in e-inclusion, e-skills and related entrepreneurial skills, including in applications intended to promote, and to make better use of, tangible and intangible cultural heritage and cultural tourism;
Amendment  25 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) Strengthening research, technological development and innovation, through the development of post-graduate studies, the training of researchers, networking activities and partnerships between higher education institutions, research and technological centres and enterprises;	(c) Strengthening research, technological development and innovation, through the development of post-graduate studies and entrepreneurial skills, the training of researchers, the development of innovatory networks in the cultural and creative sector for example, networking activities and partnerships between higher education institutions, research and technological centres and enterprises;
Amendment  26 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point d
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(d) Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, through promoting the adaptability of enterprises and workers and increased investment in human capital.	(d) Improving the conditions for the sustainable development and competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, through promoting the adaptability of enterprises, business leaders and workers and increased investment in human capital, including training for young people and apprenticeship schemes.
Amendment  27 Proposal for a regulation Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Common indicators as set out in the Annex to this Regulation and programme specific indicators shall be used in accordance with Article 24(3) and 87(2)(b)(ii) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All indicators shall be expressed in absolute numbers.	1. Common indicators as set out in the Annex to this Regulation and programme specific indicators shall be used in accordance with Article 24(3) and 87(2)(b)(ii) of Regulation (EU) No […]. All indicators shall be expressed in absolute numbers and shall take into account qualitative factors.
Amendment  28 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The involvement of the social partners and other stakeholders, in particular non-governmental organisations, in the implementation of operational programmes, as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No […], may take the form of global grants as defined in Article 113(7) of Regulation (EU) No […]. In such a case, the operational programme shall identify the part of the programme concerned by the global grant, including an indicative financial allocation from each priority axis to it.	1. The involvement of the social partners and other stakeholders, in particular non-governmental organisations and the social economy, in the implementation of operational programmes, as referred to in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No […], may take the form of global grants as defined in Article 113(7) of Regulation (EU) No […]. In such a case, the operational programme shall identify the part of the programme concerned by the global grant, including an indicative financial allocation from each priority axis to it.
Amendment  29 Proposal for a regulation Article 6 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. To encourage adequate participation of and access by non-governmental organisations to actions supported by the ESF, notably in the fields of social inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building for non-governmental organisations.	3. To encourage the active participation of, and adequate access by, non-governmental organisations to actions supported by the ESF, notably in the fields of social and cultural inclusion, gender equality and equal opportunities, the managing authorities of an operational programme in a region as defined in Article 82(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No […] or in Member States eligible for Cohesion Fund support shall ensure that an appropriate amount of ESF resources is allocated to capacity-building for non-governmental organisations..
Amendment  30 Proposal for a regulation Article 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women through mainstreaming as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […] and specific targeted actions as referred to in Article 3(1)(a)(iv), in particular with the aim of increasing the sustainable participation and progress of women in employment, reducing gender-based segregation in the labour market, combating gender stereotypes in education and training and promoting reconciliation of work and personal life for men and women.	The Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women through mainstreaming as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […] and specific targeted actions as referred to in Article 3(1)(a)(iv), in particular with the aim of increasing the sustainable participation and progress of women in employment and entrepreneurship, reducing gender-based segregation in the labour market, combating gender stereotypes in education and training and promoting reconciliation of work and personal life for men and women.
Amendment  31 Proposal for a regulation Article 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Member States and the Commission shall promote equal opportunities for all, including accessibility for disabled persons through mainstreaming the principle of non-discrimination, as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […], and through specific actions within the investment priorities as defined in Article 3, and in particular Article 3(1)(c)(iii). Such actions shall target people at risk of discrimination and people with disabilities, with a view to increasing their labour market participation, enhancing their social inclusion, reducing inequalities in terms of educational attainment and health status and facilitating the transition from institutional to community-based care.	The Member States and the Commission shall promote equal opportunities for all, including accessibility for disabled persons through mainstreaming the principle of non-discrimination, as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […], and through specific actions within the investment priorities as defined in Article 3, and in particular Article 3(1)(c)(iii). Such actions shall target people at risk of discrimination and people with disabilities, with a view to increasing their labour market participation, enhancing their social inclusion, reducing inequalities in terms of education, access to culture, educational attainment and health status and facilitating the transition from institutional to community-based care.
Amendment  32 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Member States shall identify themes for social innovation, corresponding to their specific needs in their operational programmes.	2. Member States shall identify themes for social innovation, corresponding to their specific needs in their operational programmes, including matters relating to youth and culture.
Amendment  33 Proposal for a regulation Article 9 – paragraph 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
3. The Commission shall facilitate capacity building for social innovation, in particular through supporting mutual learning, establishing networks, and disseminating good practices and methodologies.	3. The Commission shall facilitate capacity building for social and cultural innovation, in particular through supporting mutual learning, establishing networks, and disseminating good practices and methodologies.
Amendment  34 Proposal for a regulation Article 10 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. Member States shall support transnational cooperation with the aim of promoting mutual learning and thereby increasing the effectiveness of policies supported by the ESF. Transnational cooperation shall involve partners from at least two Member States.	1. Member States shall support transnational cooperation with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual learning and thereby increasing the effectiveness of policies supported by the ESF. Transnational cooperation shall involve partners from at least two Member States.
Amendment  35 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 1
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
1. The ESF may support community-led local development strategies, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No […], territorial pacts and local initiatives for employment, education and social inclusion, as well as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) as referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No […].	1. The ESF may support community-led local development strategies, as referred to in Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No […], territorial pacts and local initiatives for employment, education, inclusion, citizen participation, youth and sport, as well as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) as referred to in Article 99 of Regulation (EU) No […].
Amendment  36 Proposal for a regulation Article 12 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. Complementing ERDF interventions as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [ERDF], the ESF may support sustainable urban development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental and social challenges affecting urban areas of cities which are listed in the partnership contract.	2. Complementing ERDF interventions as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [ERDF], the ESF may support sustainable urban development through strategies setting out integrated actions to tackle the economic, environmental, social and cultural challenges affecting urban areas of cities which are listed in the partnership contract.

PROCEDURE

Title	European Social Fund and repeal of Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
References	COM(2011)0607 – C7-0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD)
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	EMPL 25.10.2011
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	CULT 25.10.2011
Rapporteur        Date appointed	Malika Benarab-Attou 27.1.2012
Discussed in committee	29.2.2012	25.4.2012
Date adopted	19.6.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	21 0 2
Members present for the final vote	Malika Benarab-Attou, Lothar Bisky, Santiago Fisas Ayxela, Lorenzo Fontana, Petra Kammerevert, Morten Løkkegaard, Emma McClarkin, Emilio Menéndez del Valle, Marek Henryk Migalski, Katarína Neveďalová, Doris Pack, Chrysoula Paliadeli, Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid, Marietje Schaake, Marco Scurria, Hannu Takkula, László Tőkés, Gianni Vattimo, Sabine Verheyen
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	François Alfonsi, Ivo Belet, Seán Kelly, Iosif Matula, Rui Tavares
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote	Mario Pirillo

• [1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&reference=A7-2011-0370&language=EN#title1
• [2]  Council conclusions on cultural and creative competencies and their role in building the intellectual capital of Europe (OJ C 372, 20.12.2011, p. 19.).

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY (8.6.2012)

for the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Social Fund and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
(COM(2011)0607 – C7‑0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD))

Rapporteur: Tadeusz Cymański

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

Since the European Community came into being, the European Social Fund (ESF) has contributed to bringing about convergence between the development levels of various regions. Since the countries of Central and Eastern Europe joined the EU, the ESF has played an important role in mitigating the social costs of transformation in post‑communist countries. The ESF is an important mechanism for investing in the human capital of this region. It provides support for training initiatives targeting groups at risk of social exclusion.

Aware that the need for professional support in less‑developed regions still exists and is indeed growing in this time of crisis, we are pleased to adopt a proposal to guarantee financing for the EFS in the next financial programming period, including by setting a minimum allocation for the ESF under the Cohesion Policy.

With this in mind, I propose that more flexibility be introduced to the provisions of the regulation in order to enable individual countries to respond to their own specific socio‑economic issues. This refers, inter alia, to the intended beneficiaries of the Fund and to the demand that the regulation should not place inflexible restrictions on the list of social groups to which the Fund may be applicable.

With regard to promoting social inclusion and combating poverty, it should be noted that there is a distinct need to provide support for women in difficult employment situations, given that they are most at risk of poverty, and to support single parents – mainly single mothers – in order to make it easier for them to reconcile their working lives and family lives.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following amendments in its report:

Amendment  1 Proposal for a regulation Recital 3
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(3) The European Council of 17 June 2010 called for all common policies, including cohesion policy, to support the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. In order to ensure the full alignment of the ESF with the objectives of this strategy, particularly as regards employment, education, and the fight against social exclusion, the ESF should support Member States in implementing the Council recommendations on broad guidelines for economic policies of the Member States and the Union and the Council decisions on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States adopted in accordance with Articles 121 and 148(4) of the Treaty. It should also contribute to the implementation of the flagship initiatives, with special regard to the ’Agenda for New Skills and Jobs, ’Youth on the Move, and the ’European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion. It will also support the activities in the Digital Agenda and the ’Innovation Union initiatives.	(3) The European Council of 17 June 2010 called for all common policies, including cohesion policy, to support the Europe 2020 Strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. In order to ensure the full alignment of the ESF with the objectives of this strategy, particularly as regards employment, education, and the fight against social exclusion, the ESF should support Member States in implementing the Council recommendations on broad guidelines for economic policies of the Member States and the Union and the Council decisions on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States adopted in accordance with Articles 121 and 148(4) of the Treaty. It should also contribute to the implementation of the flagship initiatives, with special regard to the ’Agenda for New Skills and Jobs, ’Youth on the Move, and the ’European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion. It will also support the activities in the ’Digital Agenda and the ’Innovation Union initiatives, as well as the aims set out in the Women's Charter.
Amendment  2 Proposal for a regulation Recital 4
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(4) The European Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular young people and other vulnerable groups, such as migrants. The ESF should aim to promote employment and support labour mobility, invest in education, skills and life-long learning, promote social inclusion and combat poverty. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should, in particular, support European Employment Services (EURES activities) in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level.	(4) The European Union is confronted with structural challenges arising from economic globalisation, technological change and an increasingly ageing workforce and growing skills and labour shortages in some sectors and regions. They have been compounded by the recent economic and financial crisis, which has resulted in increased levels of unemployment, hitting in particular women, young people and other disadvantaged groups, such as migrants and people with disabilities. The ESF should aim to promote employment and support labour mobility, invest in education, skills and life-long learning, promote social inclusion and combat poverty. In promoting the better functioning of labour markets by enhancing the transnational geographical mobility of workers, the ESF should, in particular, support European Employment Services (EURES activities) in relation to recruitment and the related information, advice and guidance services at national and cross-border level.
Amendment  3 Proposal for a regulation Recital 5
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(5) In addition to these priorities, in the less developed regions and Member States, and with a view to increasing economic growth and employment opportunities, the efficiency of public administration should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies should be strengthened.	(5) In addition to these priorities, in the less developed regions and Member States, and with a view to sustainable growth and employment opportunities, the efficiency of public administration should be improved and the institutional capacity of stakeholders delivering employment, education and social policies should be strengthened.
Amendment  4 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union. The ESF should in particular increase its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty, through a minimum ring-fenced allocation. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited.	(7) The ESF should contribute to the Europe 2020 Strategy, ensuring greater concentration of support on the priorities of the European Union. The ESF should, in particular, increase its support for the fight against social exclusion and poverty and promote greater gender equality and equal opportunities, through minimum ring-fenced allocations. According to the level of development of the supported regions, the choice and number of investment priorities for ESF support should also be limited.
Amendment  5 Proposal for a regulation Recital 7 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(7a) The ESF should increasingly support gender equality through investment in care services, employment opportunities for women, education and skills upgrading, and the combating of violence against women. The ESF should also redress the multiple discrimination faced by, among others, migrant women, Roma women, women with disabilities, lesbians and older women.
Amendment  6 Proposal for a regulation Recital 10
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(10) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF contribute to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender aspect into account in all dimensions of programmes, while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality.	(10) The Member States and the Commission should ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF contribute to the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 of the Treaty. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking gender equality objectives into account in all dimensions of programmes, while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality. Member States should ensure that a Gender budgeting assessment is carried out for all ESF actions and for all actions for which ESF funding is a part. The ESF should promote the implementation of the relevant Union policies.
Amendment  7 Proposal for a regulation Recital 10 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(10a) The Member States and the Commission shall ensure that equality between men and women and integration of the gender perspective are binding principles throughout the various planning and implementation stages of the Funds (gender perspective in analysis, common objectives and indicators and implementation, monitoring and evaluation) and that key actions receive support (structures) during every phase of the implementation of gender mainstreaming into the ESF.
Amendment  8 Proposal for a regulation Recital 11
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(11) In accordance with Article 10 of the Treaty, the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF should contribute to combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. The ESF should support the fulfilment of the obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with regard inter alia to education, work and employment and accessibility. The ESF should also promote the transition from institutional to community-based care.	(11) In accordance with Article 10 of the Treaty, the implementation of the priorities financed by the ESF should contribute to combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, paying particular attention to those who face multiple discrimination. The ESF should support the fulfilment of the obligation under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with regard inter alia to education, work and employment and accessibility. The ESF should also promote the implementation of the relevant Union policies and the transition from institutional to community-based care.
Amendment  9 Proposal for a regulation Recital 12
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(12) Support for social innovation is crucial for making policies more responsive to social change and to encourage and support innovative social enterprises. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions before scaling them up is instrumental in improving the efficiency of the policies and thus justifies specific support from the ESF.	(12) Support for social innovation is crucial for making policies more responsive to social change and to encourage and support innovative social enterprises. In particular, testing and evaluating innovative solutions, taking into consideration the fact that results derived from social enterprises often require a long-term perspective, before scaling them up is instrumental in improving the efficiency of the policies and thus justifies specific support from the ESF.
Amendment  10 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iv) Equality between men and women and reconciliation between work and private life;	(iv) Equality between men and women, economic independence of women and men and reconciliation between the professional and private life of men and women;
Amendment  11 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(iva) Combating gender stereotypes in career selection and the professions, and promoting life-long learning;
Amendment  12 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point aa (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(aa) Promoting women's rights and gender equality through:
	(i) increased access to employment and education for women of all ages;
	(ii) better provision of care services, including high quality affordable child care and elderly care, as well as care for other dependent persons;
	(iii) actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women;
	(iv) actions to address and eliminate multiple discrimination faced by, among others, migrant women, women with disabilities, Roma women, lesbians and older women;
	(v) promoting women's access to affordable health care services, including sexual and reproductive health care;
Amendment  13 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(b) Investing in education, skills and life-long learning through:	(b) Investing in education, skills, training and life-long learning through:
Amendment  14 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – introductory part
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(c) Promoting social inclusion and combating poverty through:	(c) Promoting social inclusion, and combating poverty and discrimination through:
Amendment  15 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ia (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(ia) Active support to integrate single parents into the labour market by helping them to reconcile work life and family life, while taking account of the fact that a significant majority of single parents in Europe are women;
Amendment  16 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – subpoint iii
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iii) Combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;	(iii) Combating all forms of discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;
Amendment  17 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – subpoint iii a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	(iiia) Accompanying actions and relevant support, community and care services that improve employment opportunities;
Amendment  18 Proposal for a regulation Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c – subpoint iv
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
(iv) Enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high-quality services, including health care and social services of general interest;	(iv) Enhancing access to affordable, sustainable and high‑quality services of general interest, including health care, social services and pre‑school childcare structures from which unemployed parents may also benefit;
Amendment  19 Proposal for a regulation Article 4 – paragraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
2. At least 20 % of the total ESF resources in each Member State shall be allocated to the thematic objective ‘promoting social inclusion and combating poverty’ set out in Article 9(9) of Regulation (EU) No […].	2. At least 20 % of the total ESF resources in each Member State shall be allocated to the thematic objective "promoting social inclusion and combating poverty and discrimination" set out in Article 9(9) of Regulation (EU) No [...].
Amendment  20 Proposal for a regulation Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
Common and programme specific output indicators relate to partially or fully implemented operations. Where relevant to the nature of the operations supported, cumulative quantified target values shall be fixed for 2022. Baseline indicators shall be set at zero.	Common and programme specific output indicators broken down by gender relate to partially or fully implemented operations. Where relevant to the nature of the operations supported cumulative quantified target values shall be fixed for 2022. Baseline indicators shall be set at zero.
Amendment  21 Proposal for a regulation Article 7
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women through mainstreaming as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […] and specific targeted actions as referred to in Article 3(1)(a)(iv), in particular with the aim of increasing the sustainable participation and progress of women in employment, reducing gender-based segregation in the labour market, combating gender stereotypes in education and training and promoting reconciliation of work and personal life for men and women.	The Member States and the Commission shall promote equality between men and women through mainstreaming as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […] and specific targeted actions as referred to in Article 3(1)(a)(iv), in particular with the aim of increasing the sustainable participation and progress of women in employment, reducing gender-based segregation in the labour market, combating gender stereotypes in education and training and promoting reconciliation of work and private life for men and women.
Amendment  22 Proposal for a regulation Article 8
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
The Member States and the Commission shall promote equal opportunities for all, including accessibility for disabled persons through mainstreaming the principle of non-discrimination, as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No […], and through specific actions within the investment priorities as defined in Article 3, and in particular Article 3(1)(c)(iii). Such actions shall target people at risk of discrimination and people with disabilities, with a view to increasing their labour market participation, enhancing their social inclusion, reducing inequalities in terms of educational attainment and health status and facilitating the transition from institutional to community-based care.	The Member States and the Commission shall promote equal opportunities for all, including accessibility for disabled persons through mainstreaming the principle of non-discrimination, as referred to in Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No [...], and through specific actions within all relevant investment priorities as defined in Article 3, paying particular attention to those who face multiple discrimination. Such actions shall target people at risk of discrimination and people with disabilities, with a view to increasing their labour market participation, enhancing their social inclusion, reducing inequalities in terms of educational attainment and health status and facilitating the transition from institutional to community-based care.
Amendment  23 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 2 – indent 1a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	– number of projects that increase the sustainable participation and progress of women in employment
Amendment  24 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 4 – indent 3 a (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	– statistics indicating a reduction in gender-based segregation in the labour market
Amendment  25 Proposal for a regulation Annex – point 4 – indent 3 b (new)
Text proposed by the Commission	Amendment
	– statistics indicating that gender stereotypes in education and training are being successfully combated

PROCEDURE

Title	European Social Fund and repeal of Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
References	COM(2011)0607 – C7-0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD)
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	EMPL 25.10.2011
Opinion by        Date announced in plenary	FEMM 25.10.2011
Rapporteur        Date appointed	Tadeusz Cymański 22.11.2011
Discussed in committee	23.4.2012
Date adopted	30.5.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	23 1 1
Members present for the final vote	Regina Bastos, Iratxe García Pérez, Mikael Gustafsson, Mary Honeyball, Lívia Járóka, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio, Nicole Kiil-Nielsen, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Astrid Lulling, Elisabeth Morin-Chartier, Siiri Oviir, Antonyia Parvanova, Joanna Senyszyn, Joanna Katarzyna Skrzydlewska, Britta Thomsen, Angelika Werthmann, Inês Cristina Zuber
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Franziska Katharina Brantner, Minodora Cliveti, Mojca Kleva, Ana Miranda, Norica Nicolai, Antigoni Papadopoulou

PROCEDURE ()

Title	European Social Fund and repeal of Regulation (EC) No 1081/2006
References	COM(2011)0607 – C7-0327/2011 – 2011/0268(COD)
Date submitted to Parliament	6.10.2011
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	EMPL 25.10.2011
Committee(s) asked for opinion(s)        Date announced in plenary	BUDG 25.10.2011	CONT 25.10.2011	ENVI 25.10.2011	ITRE 25.10.2011
	REGI 25.10.2011	CULT 25.10.2011	FEMM 25.10.2011
Not delivering opinions        Date of decision	ENVI 24.10.2011	ITRE 10.11.2011
Rapporteur(s)        Date appointed	Elisabeth Morin-Chartier 27.10.2011
Discussed in committee	26.1.2012	29.2.2012	23.4.2012	20.6.2012
Date adopted	5.7.2012
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	38 3 1
Members present for the final vote	Regina Bastos, Edit Bauer, Heinz K. Becker, Phil Bennion, Pervenche Berès, Mara Bizzotto, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, Philippe Boulland, David Casa, Alejandro Cercas, Ole Christensen, Derek Roland Clark, Minodora Cliveti, Marije Cornelissen, Emer Costello, Andrea Cozzolino, Frédéric Daerden, Marian Harkin, Nadja Hirsch, Danuta Jazłowiecka, Ádám Kósa, Jean Lambert, Patrick Le Hyaric, Veronica Lope Fontagné, Olle Ludvigsson, Thomas Mann, Elisabeth Morin-Chartier, Csaba Őry, Siiri Oviir, Konstantinos Poupakis, Sylvana Rapti, Licia Ronzulli, Elisabeth Schroedter, Joanna Katarzyna Skrzydlewska, Jutta Steinruck, Andrea Zanoni
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Malika Benarab-Attou, Kinga Göncz, Sergio Gutiérrez Prieto, Anthea McIntyre
Substitute(s) under Rule 187(2) present for the final vote	Jürgen Creutzmann, Krzysztof Lisek
Date tabled	20.8.2012