Commission invests in enterprise
The European Commission adopted a communication on 16 January, which will see SMEs receiving 19 billion euro from the European Social Fund. Close to 11 billion euro will be allocated to invest in the adaptability of the European labour force, with the main priorities being the development of IT use, SME oriented activities and life-long learning. The promotion of entrepreneurship will also receive 8 billion euro from the ESF in order to provide essential leverage for new business start-ups and job creation in the service sector. These programmes are part of an initiative to modernise and reform Europe's labour markets over the next 6 years with some 60 billion euro. 'Since its very beginning, the ESF has adapted to new challenges. New ways of organizing work, new skills needs, new technologies all require a new response from the Social Fund. [...] The communication clearly shows how the ESF support package is a sound basis to underpin both the European Employment Strategy and the policy commitments made at the Lisbon European Council last March,' said Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs.