European Social Fund (ESF+): specific measures to address strategic challenges

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

European Parliament legislative resolution of 10 September 2025 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund + (ESF+) as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges (COM(2025)0164 – C10-0064/2025 – 2025/0085(COD))

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2025)0164),

–having regard to Article 294(2) and Articles 164, 175, 177 and 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C100064/2025),

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

–having regard to the budgetary assessment by the Committee on Budgets,

–having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 29 April 2025,

–having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 15 May 2025,

–having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the responsible committee under Rule 75(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 23 July 2025 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–having regard to Rules 60 and 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the opinion of the Committee on Security and Defence,

–having regard to the letter from the Committee on Regional Development,

–having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A10-0122/2025),

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

2.Takes note of the statement by the Commission annexed to this resolution, which will be published in the C series of the Official Journal of the European Union;

3.Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

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

P10_TC1-COD(2025)0085

Position of the European Parliament adopted at first reading on 10 September 2025 with a view to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2025/… of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Regulation (EU) 2025/1913.)

ANNEX TO THE LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

Statement of the Commission on the respect for rule of law on the occasion of the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2025/1913

The Commission underlines that the respect for rule of law and fundamental rights is of utmost importance for the European Union. The Commission understands the intention of the co-legislators to ensure the protection of the Union budget with its amendments to the Commission proposal. The Commission remains committed to ensuring the Rule of Law is upheld in the implementation of the Funds and will assess any request for programme amendments in line with the Common Provisions Regulation (CPR), the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation and the provisions of the Mid-Term Review Regulation.