The main role of the ESF is to develop employment, minimize unemployment, support social integration of people and equal opportunities with focus on the labour market and human resources development.
The amount of finances from the ESF for the Czech Republic for the programming period 2007-2013 amounts to EUR 3.8 billion. For the programming period 2004-2006, the Czech Republic was assigned EUR 456.98 million.
Objectives of the European Social Fund
- Assistance to the unemployed when entering the labour market
- Equal opportunities for all in terms of access to the labour market
- Social integration, assistance to people from disadvantaged social groups when entering the labour market
- Lifelong education
- Development of a qualified and flexible workforce
- Implementation of modern methods of work organization and enterprise
- Improved access and participation of women on the labour market
- Fight with all forms of discrimination and inequality connected with the labour market
Basic Programmes of the European Social Fund
Programming Period 2007-2013
Programmes that allow drawing of finances from the ESF in the area of human resources in the period 2007-2013 in the Czech Republic and in the region of Prague are:
- Human Resources and Employment OP (HREOP)
- Education for Competitiveness OP (ECOP)
- Prague Adaptability Operational Programme (PAOP)
Programming Period 2004-2006
Programmes that allowed drawing of finances from the ESF in the area of human resources in the period 2004-2006 in the Czech Republic and in the region of Prague were:
- Human Resources Development OP (HRD OP)
- Single Programming Document for Objective 3 (SPD 3)
- Community Initiative CIP EQUAL
- Joint Regional Operational Programme (JROP)
Examples of Supported Projects
Projects of a non-investment nature are supported from the European Social Fund (ESF), like for example:
- retraining of the unemployed,
- special programmes for disabled people, children, young people, ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged groups of citizens,
- creation of innovative education programmes for employees,
- support for self-employed people who are just starting out,
- development of employment service institutions,
- development of educating programmes including distance forms of education,
- improvement of conditions for use of ICT by pupils as well as teachers,
- improvement of qualification of school and educational institution managers in the area of management and personnel policy,
- implementation and modernization of combined and distance forms of studies,
- short-term attachments of students, pedagogues and research workers in the private and the public sectors and others.
Managing Authority and Partners
The authority responsible for management of the assistance from the ESF in the Czech Republic is the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, which is at the same time the managing authority of the Human Resources and Employment Operational Programme - one of the three Czech operational programmes for drawing of financial assistance from the European Social Fund in the Czech Republic. Another managing authority is the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, which is in charge of the Education for Competitiveness Operational Programme. The third Prague Adaptability Operational Programme is managed by the Municipal Council of the Capital City of Prague. Other partners of realization are the Ministry for Regional Development, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Industry and Trade, CzechInvest employment offices, and bodies of local and regional self-administration.
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