Agenda 2000: European Social Fund ESF

In its opinion regarding the European Parliament's second reading, the Commission incorporated the 4 amendments adopted by the EP. These relate to: - the inclusion of 'social integration into the labour market' as part of the tasks of the ESF; - clarification that the development of new sources of employment includes the social economy (third system); - requiring that the strategy set out by Member States takes account of ESF policy fields pays particular attention to adaptability and specific measures for women; - requiring that Member States provide small grants with special access arrangements for non-governmental organisations and local partnerships under the ESF only under Objectives 1 and 3 rahter than under all ESF programmes. Member States would have the option of implementing the small grants with up to 100% financing from the ESF.�