It became clear that the reasons for young people's difficulties vary greatly from person to person. Hardly any young person has "no desire" for school, training or vocational orientation for no reason. Pupils and young people who are supported by the projects often have to deal with complex problems: a lack of support from their parents, for example due to divorce, the death of a parent or addiction, their own serious mental or physical illnesses, anxiety disorders, experiences of migration, flight or violence, bullying or poverty are just some of the reasons that can place a heavy burden on boys and girls and jeopardize their success at school.
Oktopus, Zag and AVdual projects supported with regional ESF Plus funding
The following projects received regional ESF-Plus funding in 2025 and were visited in December by members of the ESF working group and the advisory office for the ESF working groups at the Baden-Württemberg Landkreistag: Oktopus - an individual, needs-oriented and flexible support service for pupils affected by truancy and school failure -, Zag, which helps marginalized young people to gain a meaningful perspective by developing their own sustainability-related projects, and AVdual, which supports young people at vocational schools with the aim of finding an apprenticeship.
"Every young person deserves an opportunity for education and participation"
Christos Vavouras, Head of Social Affairs for the Ludwigsburg district and also Chairman of the regional ESF working group, expressly thanked those responsible for the projects for the intensive insight, the opportunity to exchange ideas with project participants and the work carried out for the benefit of young people with starting difficulties: "Every young person deserves a chance at education and participation. The projects funded by ESF-Plus in the district help young people who are disadvantaged for a variety of reasons to seize this opportunity and find their own individual path."
The ESF office at the Ludwigsburg district office (Stephanie Mayer, phone 07141 144-42052, e-mail: stephanie.mayer@landkreis-ludwigsburg.de) can answer any questions about ESF-Plus in the Ludwigsburg district and the funded projects. New ESF funding will be announced again
announced at the beginning of April. All relevant information and documents can be found at https://www.landkreis-ludwigsburg.de/landratsamt-landkreis/kreisverwaltung/dezernat-iv-arbeit-jugend-und-soziales/fb-43-soziales-pflege-und-versorgungsangelegenheiten/. In addition to projects to support young people in the transition from school to work, support services for the long-term unemployed with particular placement difficulties are also eligible for funding.
Background:
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 improved employment opportunities, supported people through training and qualifications, helped to reduce disadvantages in the labor market and combated poverty and social exclusion. It is the EU's most important financing and funding instrument for investing in people. The Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Integration of Baden-Württemberg is supported by the regional ESF working groups, which are based in the city and district authorities and have their own funding contingent.
