European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Bavaria

The funding program of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Bavaria supports a wide range of projects dedicated to promoting employment, education, and social inclusion. With a focus on the areas of work, vocational training, and the advancement of women, targeted measures are funded to address the challenges of the modern labor market and to empower disadvantaged groups. The program is based on the objective of contributing to the fight against poverty and social exclusion while simultaneously enabling equal access to high-quality educational opportunities. Adapting to economic and demographic change also plays a central role, encompassing both regional development and innovative projects.

The funding is aimed at educational institutions, public bodies, and companies based in Bavaria or conducting their projects in the region. Eligibility for application requires, in addition to project implementation within Bavaria, proof of a certified quality management system as well as references and professionally qualified and experienced project teams. By providing grants, the program particularly promotes the transition into the labor market, the strengthening of professional qualifications, and the integration of people with disabilities. Special emphasis is placed on a gender-equitable perspective, ensuring that all measures consistently consider the gender perspective and prevent discrimination on various grounds.

Within a project duration of 24 months, proposals are evaluated based on their project quality, result orientation, and professional suitability. The selection process relies on transparent evidence of performance capability and ensures that only projects that can demonstrably make a sustainable contribution to participation-oriented development are approved for funding. This approach not only promotes individual further education and access to employment opportunities but also supports social integration and inclusion in an economically dynamic environment. Interested stakeholders, whether from civil society, companies, or public institutions, will find in this program an attractive starting point to implement innovative projects with social relevance and long-term benefits.