FAQ

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions.

General information on ESF Plus

1) What is ESF Plus?

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus) is the European Union’s main funding instrument for employment and social inclusion. It finances programmes and projects that help people improve their career prospects and their opportunities in the vocational training and labour markets. Start-up entrepreneurs, self-employed people, including those without employees, and small and medium-sized enterprises and their employees also benefit from ESF Plus funding.

2) Who does ESF Plus support?

ESF Plus funds a wide range of services for people in different life and employment situations. Support is provided exclusively through projects implemented under the ESF Plus funding programmes. Participation in an ESF Plus project is generally free of charge. ESF Plus-funded services may be of particular interest to you if you:

  • are unemployed
  • want to take part in continuing education or training
  • want to return to work after taking time off, for example to raise children or care for a family member
  • want to start a business
  • are the owner or an employee of a small or medium-sized enterprise
  • are self-employed without employees
  • have a family history of immigration
  • are homeless

Important: If you would like to access ESF Plus support under a funding programme, you must contact an ESF Plus project in your region directly.

There are exceptions, however. Under some ESF Plus programmes, individuals can apply for funding directly. For more information, see "4) Is there ESF Plus funding I can apply for directly?"

I would like to take part in an ESF Plus project

3) How do I find a suitable ESF Plus project??

To find ESF Plus-funded services that match your life or employment situation:

  1. On the ESF homepage, go to "I am looking for support for…" and select the category that matches your situation, for example "Employees".
  2. Click "START SEARCH" to see the relevant funding programmes. Of the two tabs, "Programmes of the federal government" and "Programmes of the federal states", "Programmes of the federal government" is selected by default, so relevant federal programmes are displayed first.
  3. Click on the programmes displayed to find out more about them.
  4. Contact a project directly to ask about the requirements for participation.

To see services available in your Land, switch from the “Programmes of the federal government” tab to "Programmes of the federal states". An overview of the federal states will appear. Click on a Land to visit its ESF website, where you will find information on its ESF Plus projects. You can also find the websites and contact persons of the federal state’s ESF offices on the ESF contact centres page.

4) Is there ESF Plus funding I can apply for directly?

Yes. In a few cases, individuals can apply for funding directly. One example is the nationwide KOMPASS programme for self-employed people without employees. KOMPASS supports their continuing vocational training through grants towards training measures. For more information, visit the KOMPASS programme page.

5) Is support available for further or continuing training?

Yes. ESF Plus supports measures including continuing training and vocational skills development. To find suitable services, go to "I am looking for support for…" on the ESF homepage and select "Employees". For more information, see "3) How do I find a suitable ESF Plus project?" in these FAQs.

6) Are there ESF Plus services for career guidance or vocational training?

Yes. ESF Plus funds a wide range of services for career guidance and the transition into vocational training and employment. Vocational training itself is not funded directly, however. To find suitable services for career guidance or the transition into vocational training and employment, go to "I am looking for support for…" on the ESF homepage and select "Young people, young adults". For more information, see "3) How do I find a suitable ESF Plus project?" in these FAQs.

7) Is support available for start-up entrepreneurs, self-employed people, companies and SMEs?

Yes. ESF Plus supports start-up entrepreneurs, self-employed people, including those without employees, and companies, particularly SMEs, through a range of funding programmes and services. To find suitable services, go to "I am looking for support for…" on the ESF homepage and select "Start-up entrepreneurs", "Self-employed people" or "Companies, SMEs". For more information, see "3) How do I find a suitable ESF Plus project?" in these FAQs.

The federal funding database (www.foerderdatenbank.de) also provides an overview of other funding opportunities offered by the federal government, the Länder and the European Union.

8) Can companies obtain funding for employee training?

Yes. ESF Plus supports companies in developing their employees’ skills and providing continuing training. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular can benefit from the funding opportunities available. To find suitable services, go to "I am looking for support for…" on the ESF homepage and select "Companies, SMEs". For guidance on finding suitable services, see "3) How do I find a suitable ESF Plus project?" in these FAQs.

9) Are language courses funded through ESF Plus?

No. ESF Plus does not fund language courses directly. However, people with a migrant background receive help finding language courses as part of the counselling provided. If you are looking for a language course, it may be helpful to contact a project or the Jobcenter.

Information on vocational language courses and the requirements for participation is also available from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.