Grant name: Europees Sociaal Fonds Plus (ESF+)
Funding organizations: European Union and Flemish government via Europa WSE and VLAIO
Funding type: Subsidies via calls for proposals
Funding rate: Varies per call, EU contribution capped at 50%
Grant frequency: Recurring through multiple calls
Primary objective: Strengthen labor market and increase employment rate in Flanders
Mission: Support smart, sustainable, inclusive, and non-discriminatory employment market
Key stakeholders: Public and private organizations in Flanders, including SMEs and non-profits
Part of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF)
Supports EU 2020 goals for employment and social inclusion
Focus on training, sustainable job creation, combating workplace discrimination, and improving labor market access
Emphasis on vulnerable groups and active aging
Projects complement Flemish career policy and federal measures
Eligible organizations: Public or private legal entities including SMEs and non-profits (vzw)
Excludes sole proprietorships (eenmanszaken) in principle
Some calls require formation of partnerships with a project promoter leading the partnership
No explicit organizational size or capacity requirements stated
Geographic requirement: Projects must be within Flanders
No explicit certifications mentioned
Inclusivity: Encourages social integration and equality projects
Labor market projects: training, improving access to labor market
Sustainable, high-quality jobs and labor mobility
Investments in education, training, lifelong learning
Social integration, equality, poverty reduction projects
Active aging: encouraging older workers to remain or re-enter workforce
Projects target critical career transition moments
Alignment with EU and Flemish priorities for inclusive and non-discriminatory employment
Increased employment rates
Improved labor market access for vulnerable groups
Sustainable job creation
Enhanced social inclusion and equality
Support for older workers in the labor market
Applications submitted via Platos digital platform
Requires registration and assignment of user rights via Gebruikersbeheer Vlaanderen
Project time registration integrated with Platos
Project documentation and reporting managed within Platos
No specific technical expertise or infrastructure requirements detailed
Partnerships may be required depending on call
Funding amount and support percentage vary per call
EU contribution capped at 50% of eligible costs
Funding is complementary to private or other public contributions
Subject to European de-minimis regulation limiting aid to €300,000 over three years per enterprise
De-minimis declaration on honor required from applicants
Eligible and ineligible costs vary per call (details in call fiche)
No explicit mention of matching funds or co-financing percentages beyond 50% cap
Financial reporting and auditing required as per call conditions
Applications accepted only during open calls
Current open calls have deadlines such as 30/06/2025 and 14/11/2025
Project duration varies per call (not explicitly specified)
Reporting and monitoring conducted through Platos
Infosessions organized per call to assist applicants
Extensions and progress tracking depend on call conditions
Compliance with European state aid rules and de-minimis regulation mandatory
Projects must adhere to EU and Flemish labor and social regulations
Data protection and privacy compliance implied via digital platform use
Ethical standards and inclusivity emphasized
Environmental compliance not explicitly detailed
Legal framework compliance required as per call
Register organization and users in Gebruikersbeheer Vlaanderen
Obtain appropriate user rights for Platos platform
Submit project proposal via Platos during open call period
Provide required documentation as per call fiche
Sign project submission electronically
Follow reporting steps via Platos during project execution
Contact persons listed per call for support
Infosessions available for guidance
No explicit interview or presentation requirements mentioned
Strong emphasis on partnerships and collaboration for certain calls
Focus on vulnerable groups and social inclusion
Integration with Flemish and federal policies on active aging and labor market
De-minimis regulation compliance critical
Digital platform Platos centralizes application and reporting
Calls vary in thematic focus and funding conditions
Encourages sustainable and smart job growth
Funding amounts and support percentages vary per call
Recurring calls with evolving priorities aligned with EU 2020 goals
De-minimis regulation consistently applied
Partnerships increasingly emphasized
Focus areas have included social innovation, lifelong learning, and inclusion
Success stories and case studies available on official websites
No specific success rate or grantee profile data provided