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European Social Fund Plus: New application round starts

Project sponsors have the opportunity to apply for funding from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) until the end of May 2026. The focus is once again on projects for the long-term unemployed and disadvantaged pupils. The strategy adopted by the regional ESF working group in February is the basis for applications for ESF Plus funding. One or two-year projects are possible for the 2027 funding year or the 2027/2028 funding years. Legal entities under public or private law as well as partnerships with legal capacity and partnerships with partial legal capacity are eligible to apply. In total, the regional ESF working group can allocate funds of around 474,000 euros per year in this award round.

Eine Präsentation in einem Seminarraum, in dem eine Frau vor einer Gruppe von sechs Personen spricht. Im Hintergrund ist ein Plakat mit dem Text „KONZEPT.AG aktiv gestalten“ zu sehen, während die Zuhörer aufmerksam zuhören.

In December 2025, the regional ESF working group visited funded projects, including the "Zag - actively shaping the future" project.

Two target groups

Projects can be submitted that are tailored to one of the following two target groups: Firstly, long-term unemployed people who are particularly distant from the labor market with multiple barriers to placement; in particular people in psychosocial problem situations, with health restrictions, addictions, over-indebtedness, experience of violence or in precarious family or housing conditions. Cross-legal support measures under the German Social Code (SGB) II, IX and XII are conceivable; disadvantaged target groups outside the SGB benefit system should also be considered; secondly, pupils from year 5 onwards who are at risk of failing at school and who are clearly not ready for training; young people pushed to the margins of society or young people who drop out of school and who are not reached by regular school systems, youth vocational assistance and training support.

Providers can present their applications to the ESF working group in July 2026

Project sponsors can submit their applications via the electronic application portal ELAN(https://elan.esf-bw.de/). The uploaded documents are automatically submitted to L-Bank via a secure connection, eliminating the need for additional postal delivery. The application documents must be received in full in ELAN by June 1, 2026. At the next meeting of the regional ESF working group in July 2026, potential project sponsors will have the opportunity to present their submitted applications. L-Bank Baden-Württemberg will make the final decision on the approval of the funding. In doing so, it takes into account the results of the ranking of the regional ESF working group.

The office is available to answer questions from project sponsors and interested parties

Interested parties can find the full text of the call for proposals with numerous procedural instructions and the associated regional working group strategy for 2027 on the Ludwigsburg district website at www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/landratsamt-landkreis/kreisverwaltung/dezernat-iv-arbeit-jugend-und-soziales/fb-43-soziales-pflege-und-versorgungsangelegenheiten/. The ESF office at the Ludwigsburg district office is also available to answer questions from project sponsors and interested parties (Stephanie Mayer, Tel.: 07141 144-42052, e-mail: stephanie.mayer[at]landkreis-ludwigsburg.de).

Fund improves employment opportunities

The ESF Plus is an important labor market policy instrument of the European Union (EU) for promoting employment in Europe. Since the European Economic Community was founded in 1957, it has been improving employment opportunities, supporting people through training and qualifications, helping to reduce disadvantages in the labor market and combating poverty and social exclusion. The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Integration is supported in its regional funding activities by the regional ESF working groups, which are based in the city and district authorities and have their own funding contingent.